PSIDIUM POMIFERUM 113 



states that they may cause convulsions and other similar nerv- 

 ous disorders. 



They yield a light green, fixed oil, probably the active prin- 

 ciple of the plant. 



Botanical Description. — A climbing shrub, 6-9° high, 

 whose stem is thickly set with long, opposite thorns. Leaves 

 in stars of 3, oblong, acute, entire, glabrous. Petioles very 

 short. Flowers white, veined with red, in axillary spikes. 

 Calyx very long, nearly cylindrical, 5-toothed. Corolla, 5 

 petals, inserted between the teeth of the calyx. Stamens 10, 

 inserted on the calyx-tube, shorter than the corolla, arranged in 

 2 series, 5 higher than the rest. Style the same length as the 

 stamens, united throughout nearly its entire length with the 

 wall of the calyx-tube from which it separates near the stigma. 

 Stigma rather bulky. Fruit V long, ovoid, 5 sharp ridges in 

 the woody, fragile, mahogany-colored pericarp, which contains 

 a pointed kernel at one end. 



Habitat. — San Mateo, and along the shores of Luzon. 

 Blooms in May. 



MYRTACEJE. 



Myrtle Family. 



Psidium pomiferum, L. (P. aromaticum and P. pyrifenim, 



Blanco.) 



Nom. Vulg. — Guayabas, Sp.; Bayabas, Guayabas, Tayabas, 

 Tag., and other dialects ; Guava, Eng. 



Uses. — The green fruit is acid and very astringent. The 

 stage of development when it is best eaten raw, is just before it 

 ripens, for then its acidity has lessened, it is not astringent and 

 does not emit the strong odor, so disagreeable to many, that 

 characterizes the ripe fruit. When fully ripe it is sweet, non- 

 astringent and very bland, and this is the stage when it is best 

 for making the jellies and preserves so popular in the Philip- 

 pines. 

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