Rhodomyrtus psidioides

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Rhodomyrtus psidioides
Rhodomyrtus psidioides.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Rhodomyrtus
Species:R. psidioides
Binomial name
Rhodomyrtus psidioides
(G.Don) Benth.
Synonyms
  • Nelitris psidioidesG.Don

Rhodomyrtus psidioides, the native guava, is a shrub or small rainforest tree up to 12 m (39 ft) high, member of the botanical family Myrtaceae, native to eastern Australia. [1]

Rainforest type of forest with high rainfall

Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with annual rainfall in the case of tropical rainforests between 250 and 450 centimetres, and definitions varying by region for temperate rainforests. The monsoon trough, alternatively known as the intertropical convergence zone, plays a significant role in creating the climatic conditions necessary for the Earth's tropical rainforests.

Tree Perennial woody plant with elongated trunk

In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, supporting branches and leaves in most species. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are usable as lumber or plants above a specified height. Trees are not a taxonomic group but include a variety of plant species that have independently evolved a woody trunk and branches as a way to tower above other plants to compete for sunlight. Trees tend to be long-lived, some reaching several thousand years old. In wider definitions, the taller palms, tree ferns, bananas, and bamboos are also trees. Trees have been in existence for 370 million years. It is estimated that there are just over 3 trillion mature trees in the world.

Myrtaceae family of plants

Myrtaceae or the myrtle family is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pohutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All species are woody, contain essential oils, and have flower parts in multiples of four or five. The leaves are evergreen, alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually entire. The flowers have a base number of five petals, though in several genera the petals are minute or absent. The stamens are usually very conspicuous, brightly coloured and numerous.

Leaves are ovate to elliptic or oblong, 5–25 cm (2–10 in) long and 2.5–6.5 cm (1–3 in) wide, with a glossy upper surface and paler lower surface. Oil glands are numerous, and the leaves have a pineapple-like fragrance and stickiness when crushed. White or pink flowers occur in raceme-like inflorescences; followed by a berry, 15–25 mm (0.59–0.98 in) long, 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) wide, yellow and fleshy. [2]

Uses

The berry of native guava is edible with a pleasant aromatic flavor. The tree is fast growing and has an important successional role in rainforest regeneration.

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References

  1. Floyd, A.G. (1989). Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia. Inkata Press. ISBN   0-909605-57-2.
  2. Rhodomyrtus psidioides profile, Flora of NSW Online