Annotated bibliography of the genus Psidium, with emphasis on P. cattleianum (strawberry guava) and P. guajava (common guava), forest weeds in Hawai'i

Abstract

The family Myrtaceae is well represented in Hawai'i by both native and introduced species. Two species of the genus Psidium, P. cattleianum (strawberry guava) and P. guajava (common guava), are particularly significant as invasive alien weeds in Hawai'i, where they pose serious threats to native ecosystems. Whereas these species are native to South America, they have been widely distributed throughout warmer regions of the world because of their edible fruit. The Myrtaceae is divided into two subfamilies, Leptospermoideae and Myrtoideae, the latter of which includes Psidium. The literature contains numerous references to these species considered both from the viewpoint of their desirability as fruit crops and as undesirable weedy invaders. An annotated bibliography of published references to the genus Psidium, with particular emphasis on strawberry and common guavas, was prepared to document both of these aspects, but in particular to provide information of possible use in control efforts in Hawai'i.