Guava
tree
Psidium guajava
Family Myrtaceae
updated
Nov 10
Where seen? This fruit tree is often seen in old kampong
areas such as on Pulau Ubin. Originally from tropical America, the
tree has been introduced to many other parts of the world. Corners
considers it common in 'all villages throughout Malaya'. The Malay
name for it is 'Jambu Batu'
Features: An untidy tree with
sparse, drooping branches (to about 6m tall). Bark very smooth, coppery
orange-brown mottled greenish or pale yellowish, peeling off in thin
flakes. Flowers white, fruits pear-shaped rippening yellow with fragrant
and pink flesh. According to Corners, the tree fruits in its second
year and does so continuously for its lifespan of 30-40 years.
Human uses: According to Burkill,
the fruit makes "excellent stews, jams and particularly jelly".The
leaves are used to produce a black dye as well as to treat stomach
ailments.
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Pulau Ubin,
Dec 09
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Pulau Ubin,
Dec 09
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Pulau Ubin,
Dec 09
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Pulau Ubin,
Dec 09
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Links
References
- Hsuan Keng,
S.C. Chin and H. T. W. Tan. 1990, The
Concise Flora of Singapore: Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons.
Singapore University Press. 222 pp.
- Corners,
E. J. H., 1997. Wayside
Trees of Malaya: in two volumes.
Fourth edition, Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1:
1-476 pp, plates 1-38; volume 2: 477-861 pp., plates 139-236.
- Burkill,
I. H., 1993. A
Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula.
3rd printing. Publication Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-1240; volume 2: 1241-2444.
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