Monkey Tail (Guaba chilillo)
In several Central and South American countries this tree is grown for its popular fruit, called guaba [psidium guajava]. The tree works well in agroforestry or agronomical systems because it grows quickly and its canopy spreads wide, offering good coverage and leaf litter production. For these reasons, guaba is sometimes cultivated to provide shade for other crops. It's also grown for lumber.
More about Monkey Tail
The flowers on this tree somewhat resemble dandelion fuzz – clusters of flowers with long white groups of stamens attract visitors. The flowers reward pollinators with nectar.
Guaba is a legume, and it shows – it has long green pods that look like oversized green beans with soft black seeds covered in thick, juicy white flesh. Squirrels, monkeys, or other mammals and birds are drawn to the sweet fruit. When they digest the fruit they help the plant disperse its seeds. There is a high demand for the fruit in local markets as well.
