Psidium friedrichsthalianum
Cas Guava
Psidium friedrichsthalianum
Psidium friedrichsthalianum, Cas Guava, is a relatively unknown guava that has a very distinct flavor amongst the rest. Cas Guava has a strong sour but sweet flavor that makes it an absolute favorite for fresh juices. The fruits are about the size of a golf ball, a dull yellow color and have small seeds much like strawberry guavas do. It’s definitely one of the more sensitive species of Psidium spp. as it will die back in the winter during strong frost events in zone 9b. Regardless, it seems like it comes back and should produce fruit. This is a species I will be putting a lot of focus on as it has flavors that make it very distinct amongst other Guavas.
Family: Myrtaceae
Name: Psidium friedrichsthalianum
Common Name / Native Name: Costa Rican Guava, Cas Guava
Range: Southern Mexico, Central America, into Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezeula
Sun: Full sun/part shade
Height: 10+ feet
Width: 8+ feet
Foliage: Smaller lanceolate foliage, sensitive to frost
Flower: Medium sized white flowers in small clusters
Fruit: Golf Ball sized yellow fruits
Soil Type/ pH: Prefers acidity but can handle moderately higher pH soils
USDA Climate Zones: 9b+/10a
Cold Hardiness: Undetermined but has experienced brief periods of frosts
Edibility: A delicious guava eaten out of hand, highly appreciated in juices. Great sour flavor that is distinct amongst other guava varieties.
Age to maturity: Unknown, likely 3-6 years