A compact, evergreen shrub, growing to a height of 3 - 6 m. It is believed to be native to the Brazilian lowlands. The fruit are small (about 2 cm diameter) and round, deep wine - red in colour (also a yellow variety available) with a thin skin. The flesh is juicy and has a texture and flavour similar to a strawberry. The yellow variety is larger fruited (about 3 cm diameter) and a creamier and nicer flavour.
Nutritional composition of the strawberry guava per 100 grams of edible portion is: Water -81.8%, Energy - 65 calories, Carbohydrate - 15.8 g, Fat - 0.6 g, Protein - 1.0 g, Ash - 0.8 g, Calcium - 23 mg, Potassium - 289 mg, Sodium - 4 mg, Iron - 0.9 mg, Phosphorous - 42 mg, Chlorine - 155 mg, Sulphur - 105 mg, Silicon - 30 mg, Vitamin A - 90.U., Thiamin - 0.03 mg, Riboflavin - 0.03 mg, Niacin - 0.6 mg, Ascorbic acid - 37 mgs and the digestion time is 3 hours.
The strawberry guava is hardier to frost than P. guajava (to - 5°C), but is less tolerant of drought and flooding. P. littorale is a very closely related species, but has a different shaped fruit and leaves which are narrower towards the base.