Etymology

Psidium is derived from Greek sidion which referred to pomegranates. The species name cattleianum is in honour of English merchant and famed horticulturist William Cattley.

Description and flowering period

Psidium cattleianum is a densely ramified and tortuous tree, sometimes presenting a bushy habit, which reaches from 6 to 12 meters in height. Its bark is reddish-brown, smooth and fragrant. Its dark-green shiny leaves are persistent, oval and presenting a short pointed tip. Its very fragrant flowers are composed of 5 white and pink petals and numerous red or yellow stamens. The fruit is a medium-sized, shiny, smooth-skinned berry which turns purple once mature and contains many tiny hard seeds. Its white and juicy flesh is twenty times richer in vitamin C than oranges. Its sweet and tangy flavour evokes the taste of wild strawberries (hence its common name) as well as myrtle. Habitat: Suited to any type of soils providing it is well-drained, it requires full sun and a warm climate. It is frost intolerant.

Uses

Food & drink: The fruit can be eaten raw, juiced, used to make pies, preserves, sherbets or even as a condiment used in meat dishes (on the Réunion Island). The juice can be turned into wine: it is used in such a way to make a sparkly wine on the Reunion Island.
Crafts: It is used to make picket fences, view-breakers, tool handles, roofing elements and marquetry.

Notes

Of early introduction in many tropical areas, it has naturalised early on throughout the tropics and has become an invasive species in many places where it disrupts ecosystems by out-competing local species. Such is the case in Oceania, eastern and southern Africa, as well as islands of the Indian and Pacific ocean. It is considered one of the 100 most invasive species worldwide by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Visible at: Val Rahmeh botanical garden – MNHN