Guavaberry
Myrciaria floribunda
Synonyms: Myrciaria schuechiana var. latifolia, Myrciaria tolypantha, Myrciaria protracta, Plinia acutissima, Myrciaria leucophloea var. laxa, Myrciaria tolypantha var. angustifolia, Myrciaria oneillii, Myrciaria amazonica, Siphoneugena cantareirae, Eugenia maranhensis, Marlierea brachymischa, Myrciaria schuechiana, Myrciaria salzmannii, Myrciaria leucadendron, Myrciaria splendens, Myrciaria mexicana, Myrciaria maragnanensis, Myrciaria longipes var. pellucida, Myrciaria arborea var. rostrata, Eugenia leucophloea, Myrciaria ciliolata var. warmingiana, Siphoneugena micrantha, Myrciaria schuechiana var. deflexa, Myrciaria ciliolata, Eugenia polyneura, Eugenia salzmannii, Myrciaria prasina, Myrciaria arborea, Myrciaria maximiliana, Eugenia floribunda, Myrciaria tenuiramis, Myrciaria verticillata, Myrciaria leucophloea var. warmingiana, Myrciaria leucophloea var. conferta, Myrciaria uliginosa, Myrtus floribunda, Eugenia ciliolata, Eugenia pycnoneura, Myrciaria axillaris, Myrciaria tolypantha var. latifolia, Myrciaria sellowiana, Myrciaria leucophloea, Eugenia oneillii, Paramyrciaria ciliolata, Eugenia leucophloea var. warmingiana, Myrciaria longipes, Myrciaria maranhensis, Myrciaria longipes var. opaca, Plinia asa-grayi, Plinia formosa, Plinia cubensis
Gallery
Botanical Description
Myrciaria floribunda, the guavaberry or rumberry, is an evergreen tree in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) that grows slowly to 12 to 20 meters in height. The slender trunk has flaking red-brown to cinnamon bark, and the dense crown bears opposite, simple, ovate to elliptic leaves 3 to 7 centimeters long, leathery, glossy dark green above, and dotted with translucent oil glands when held to the light. Small flowers, with four to five white petals and a prominent boss of long white stamens flushed pink at the base, are borne in dense fascicles directly along the older twigs (cauliflory) and produce a sweet fragrance. The fruit is a small berry roughly half the size of a cherry that ripens through yellow-orange and dark red to purple-black, with a thin layer of translucent, sweet-tart aromatic flesh - reminiscent of guava - surrounding a single seed; darker fruits are notably richer in vitamin C. The species is native to dry to moist coastal woodlands up to 300 meters elevation across Central America, northern South America, and the West Indies, and has been introduced to Florida, Hawaii, Bermuda, the Philippines, and Tanzania. It shows great genetic variability across its range, with many recognised synonyms.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.