The Guava is an extensive genus of low-growing evergreen trees, found chiefly in the West Indies, South America, and China. They have become naturalized in Hawaii, and may be found growing wild on waste lands and by the roadside. In some localities growing so rank as to become troublesome. The leaves are oval to oblong, usually acuminate, glabrous above and pubescent beneath, and have prominent veins. The fragrant, white, solitary flowers are axillary.

The somewhat rough skin of the globose fruit is a brownish-yellow, and the firm, dark-pink pulp, in which is embedded numerous seeds, is generally acid and aromatic. This guava is the source of the famous guava jelly of commerce.