Guava has been widely established across much of its present range for at least 150 years, and does not appear to be spreading greatly along the coasts although it may have expanded on the upper slopes of Green Mountain. (Lambdon, P. & Darlow, A. (2008) Botanical Survey of Ascension Island and St. Helena 2008. RSPB);
Hold Ctrl whilst dragging to view details of selected occurrences.
- 14.1. Artificial - Terrestrial – Arable Land
- 14.2. Artificial - Terrestrial – Pastureland
- 14.3. Artificial - Terrestrial – Plantations
- 14.4. Artificial - Terrestrial – Rural Gardens
- 14.5. Artificial - Terrestrial – Urban Areas
- 14.6. Artificial - Terrestrial – Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest
- 1.5. Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry
- 1.6. Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist lowland
- 1.9. Forest – Subtropical/tropical moist montane
- 2.1. Savanna - Dry
- 2.2. Savanna - Moist
At many of its locations, it forms extensive, monocultural stands of tough impenetrable branches. The leathery leaves lay down a thick litter which lies undecayed on the surface of the ground for long periods, suppressing the development of ground cover and inhibiting competition from other woody species. Guava scrub therefore represents a poor-quality, unbalanced habitat. Due to its long persistence, much of the ecological damage was probably inflicted many years ago, and in the remote corners of the island where it is most prevalent, there is now no way of knowing what the original habitats were like. The shrubby plants at lower altitudes tend to produce astringent fruits which are of little value to humans. Provide an abundant resource for rats, they have the potential to become a major environmental problem despite extensive ongoing attempts at control. (Lambdon, P. & Darlow, A. (2008) Botanical Survey of Ascension Island and St. Helena 2008. RSPB);
On the Mountain, the fruit is good to eat, although harvested by islanders only in small quantities. (Lambdon, P. & Darlow, A. (2008) Botanical Survey of Ascension Island and St. Helena 2008. RSPB);
Rats appear to be responsible for dispersing guava seed. (Lambdon, P. & Darlow, A. (2008) Botanical Survey of Ascension Island and St. Helena 2008. RSPB);
Pagad S, Wong L J (2022). Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species Ascension Island, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Version 1.4. Invasive Species Specialist Group ISSG. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/vijxee; Lambdon, P. & Darlow, A. (2008) Botanical Survey of Ascension Island and St. Helena 2008. RSPB;