Is this an edible guava? (forum)

Lindsay Cumming starts with ...
This 2m high evergreen bush was on our Woodend Vic block when we bought. It was covered in little white flowers at Christmas and now has a heavy crop of these small 1cm fruit. They taste like quava. Is it a guava? Are any such fruits toxic? Can I make guava jelly without poisoning my near and dear?
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Time: 26th March 2018 4:24pm

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About the Author Lindsay Cumming
Woodend, Vic
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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Lindsay

Looks like a grumichama (eugenia brasilensis) to me. A small tree endemic to Brazil belonging to Myrtaceae family like the common guava (psidium guajava). It bears sweet small fruits that are purple to black color and sometimes the rare orange fruited grumi and have cherry like flavor. And yes they are very edible. Half ripe fruits are often used to make pie, jam and jelly.

I have uploaded images of the fruit and flowers for comparative purposes including the rarer orange grumi.

Happy Gardening :-)
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Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 27th March 2018 7:24pm

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Original Post was last edited: 28th March 2018 9:26pm

About the Author Fruitylicious1
TAMWORTH,2340,NSW
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Lindsay Cumming says...
Thanks Fruitylicious.
My local nursery person thinks my shrub is Luma Apiculata, or Argentinian or Chilean Myrtle. These people eat the fruit. He says it was once popular as a hedge plant here.
I don't think it is a Grumichama or Brazil Cherry, Eugenia Brasiliensis (syn. Eugenia Dombeya) as the leaves of this tree, compared with my shrub are much larger.
Thanks for helping. Lindsay

Time: 28th March 2018 8:26pm

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Original Post was last edited: 28th March 2018 8:26pm
About the Author Lindsay Cumming
Woodend, Vic
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denise1 says...
Hi Lindsay, The fruits look identical to grumichama but the size shown indicates it is much smaller. The leaves are also much smaller than grumichama. I think it may be Luma apiculata but not sure as its a long time since I have seen one.

Time: 28th March 2018 9:31pm

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auckland NZ
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Mike Tr says...
Probably E.itaguensis or a near relative.

Time: 29th March 2018 11:02am

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About the Author Mike Tr
Cairns
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Linton says...
It is obviously without doubt the common Luma apiculata.

I refer you to the pictures I submitted at this same time last year - 24 March 2017. Please have a look at them and you will see they are identical to yours.

https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/forum/luma-apiculata-chilean-myrtle/


Time: 30th March 2018 10:28am

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About the Author Linton
NOBLE PARK,3174,VIC
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Linton says...
Freshly harvested today berries from a nearby Luma apiculata tree. Very juicy and delicious!
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Time: 4th April 2018 12:31pm

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About the Author Linton
NOBLE PARK,3174,VIC
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