GUABIRABA
(Campomanesia lineatifolia)
A tree of guabiraba
Family: Myrtaceae
Synonyms: Campomanesia cornifolia, Campomanesia rivularis, Psidium rivulare.
Other names: Perfume guava
Guaribaba is a fruit from south America. It is native to Colombia, Brazilian and Peruvian Amazonia. It is occasionally cultivated in its native range. However, it is little known elsewhere.
The fruits look like guava and have strong aroma. That is probably the reason for its being called “perfumes”guava.
The tree has been in cultivation in Peru since before the Europeans came to S. America and it is still cultivated there and elsewhere, mainly in home gardens
Description:
A medium sized evergreen tree with slightly furrowed trunk, upto 120 m high and 25 cm wide trunk; bark dry, thin, whitish, removable in long strips.
Leaves opposite, sub coriaceous, rugose, 4-18 cm long with nervesfrequently puberulent.
Developing fruits of guabiraba
Flowers solitary or in pairs, large, androgynous, and axillary, cream, 15 mm in diameter.
Fruits subglobose berries, flattened, yellow when ripe, 30 mm in diameter but can reach upto 70 mm; upto 140 g, pulp very succulent.
Seeds 4-10, flattened,
Utilization:
Guabiraba fruits are very popular with local people. These are eaten fresh and are also as flavoring in beverages, desserts, and ice creams.
Guabiraba ripe fruit
Cultivation:
As already started, guabiraba trees are also cultivated at some places like Peru. This fruit is propagated from seed.
Guabariba should be promoted for cultivation as an orchard fruit.