Psidium acutangulum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Psidium acutangulum var. oblongatum
• Psidium acutangulum var. crassirame
• Guajava acutangula
• Psidium acutangulum var. tenuirame
• Psidium persoonii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Myrtales and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Psidium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the diverse landscapes of Northern South America. Specifically, its range extends through the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. It also thrives across the vast regions of Venezuela. Furthermore, the distribution continues into the western parts of the continent, reaching into Bolivia. This pattern demonstrates that the species is widely spread across several distinct South American nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Psidium acutangulum is characterized by its preference for specific lowland environments, primarily thriving within the Floresta de Várzea habitats. This species is typically found at low altitudes, with a mean elevation of 100 m AMSL and a minimum elevation starting at 100 m AMSL. Its vertical distribution is relatively restricted, reaching a maximum elevation of 850 m AMSL, indicating a strong ecological affinity for seasonally flooded forest ecosystems located near river basins.

Elevational range max:

850 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Psidium guajava (often referred to in taxonomic contexts as Psidium acutangulum) is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its stem and reproductive structures well above the ground level, contributing to its robust stature. Its growth habit can also be classified as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its ability to maintain woody structures at relatively low heights depending on environmental conditions and pruning. Furthermore, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing a continuous photosynthetic capacity that supports its long-term survival and perennial lifecycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Psidium acutangulum is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily functioning as a self-supporting tree. It is a terrestrial species that maintains an independent existence, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with an average height of approximately 5 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 12 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Psidium guajava (commonly referred to in botanical contexts involving the Psidium genus) is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy dictates its carbon assimilation efficiency and water-use patterns, typically favoring environments with moderate light and temperature. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Psidium acutangulum is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that contain seeds with specific morphological dimensions. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a consistent volume, recorded at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 380 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds show a degree of variability, with a minimum mass of 0.04 g and a maximum mass of 0.109 g, resulting in an overall mean seed mass of 0.0745 g. The fruit itself is described as having a fleshy texture, which plays a critical role in the dispersal and reproductive success of the plant.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.109 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0745 g

Seed mass min:

0.04 g

Seed volume max:

380 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Psidium acutangulum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Guaijaverin.

CATECHIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Guaijaverin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Psidium acutangulum has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Psidium acutangulum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology