No, guava is not a cactus fruit.
Based on botanical classification, guava belongs to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae).
What is Guava?
According to botanical information, guava is a common tropical fruit that is widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions globally. The specific type known as common guava, Psidium guajava, is a small tree. Its native range includes Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
Key Characteristics:
- Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
- Origin: Native to tropical America
- Type of Plant: Small tree
- Classification: Tropical fruit
This classification places guava firmly within the Myrtaceae family, distinct from the Cactaceae family, which encompasses cacti and their fruits.
Guava vs. Cactus Fruit
While both guava and some cactus fruits (like the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, often called tuna) are enjoyed as fruits and may grow in similar warm climates, they come from entirely different plant families.
| Feature | Guava (Psidium guajava) | Cactus Fruit (e.g., Prickly Pear fruit) |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Family | Myrtaceae | Cactaceae |
| Plant Type | Tree | Cactus |
| Fruit Type | Berry | Berry |
| Origin | Mexico, Central & South America | Americas (varies by species) |
| Typical Structure | Smooth or slightly bumpy skin, fleshy interior with seeds | Often spiny skin, fleshy interior with seeds |
Understanding the botanical family helps clarify that guava is not a cactus fruit, but rather a fruit from a tree within the myrtle family.
