Purple guava
| Botanical Name | Psidium cattleianum |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Origin | South Brazil |
Identification
Large shrub or small tree to 6 m high. Trunk smooth, pale brown. Leaves smooth, oval to 40-50 mm long. Round fruit to 20 mm diameter becoming dark purple or sometimes yellow. Edible. Flowers Jan-Mar. Fruits Jun-Aug.Habitats
In and around old orchards and to a limited extent in shrub along roadsides and indigenous forests.Impact to Biota and Ecosystems
Very aggressive behaviour in indigenous forests of Norfolk Island and elsewhere in the Pacific. Could become a real problem in New Zealand.Dispersal Routes, Vectors, Infestation Sources
Cultivation escape. Seed could be spread by larger birds such as kereru.Management
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Management |
|
| Physical Control |
Cut down and treat stumps with herbicide. Hand pull seedlings. |
| Disposal |
Remove all seeds from trees and destroy. Felled trees should desiccate and decompose in situ. Seedlings should be snapped in half and hung nearby to desiccate. |
| Chemical Control |
Treat stumps with herbicide or scatter Tordon granules around stump. |
|
Biological Control |
|
| Recommended Approach |
Cut adult trees and treat as above. Hand pull seedlings. |
Further Comment
More widespread than yellow guava, and can be difficult to see as it is not very distinctive.