Psidium L.
Shrubs or trees. Lvs opposite, not obviously glandular. Fls axillary, solitary or few in dichasial cymes, often large. Hypanthium campanulate or pyriform, prolonged above ovary, splitting irregularly at or after anthesis; calyx limb 4-5-lobed. Petals 4-5, free, spreading, ± caducous. Stamens numerous, in many series, free, < petals; anthers dorsifixed. Ovary usually 4-5-celled; ovules many; style often > stamens. Fr. baccate and very fleshy, globose, ovoid or pyriform, usually with persistent calyx lobes; seeds few to many.
Key
c. 100 spp., tropical America. Naturalised spp. 2.
In the related genus Feijoa O. Berg, there is one very common, economically important sp. in cultivation, F. sellowiana O. Berg; it is easily distinguished from Psidium spp. by the fleshy petals which turn red with age, long crimson stamens and ± rugose green fr.
