Feijoa
Acca sellowiana
The Feijoa (Acca sellowiana), also known as Pineapple Guava, is a perennial evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Myrtaceae, prized for its aromatic, sweet-tart fruit and attractive ornamental qualities. Native to the highlands of southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Argentina, it has become a beloved fruit crop and garden plant in temperate and subtropical regions worldwide.
• Formerly classified under the genus Feijoa, it was reclassified as Acca sellowiana based on molecular phylogenetic studies
• The fruit is sometimes called "pineapple guava" due to its complex flavor profile reminiscent of pineapple, guava, and mint
• Both the fruit and the showy flowers are edible, making it a dual-purpose ornamental and edible landscape plant
• It is one of the most cold-tolerant fruiting plants in the Myrtaceae family, surviving brief frosts down to approximately −10°C (14°F)
Taxonomy
• The plant was first described by the German botanist Otto Karl Berg in 1859
• It was named in honor of João da Silva Feijó, a Portuguese naturalist and colonial administrator in Brazil
• The species epithet "sellowiana" honors Friedrich Sellow, a German botanist and collector who extensively explored Brazil's flora in the early 19th century
• Introduced to Europe in the late 19th century and subsequently spread to New Zealand, California, the Caucasus region, and other temperate/subtropical zones
• New Zealand has become one of the world's leading commercial producers of feijoa fruit, with significant breeding programs developing improved cultivars since the 1980s
Leaves:
• Simple, opposite, elliptical to oblong (3–8 cm long, 2–4 cm wide)
• Upper surface is glossy dark green; lower surface is distinctly silvery-white and densely covered with fine felt-like hairs (tomentose)
• Leaves are aromatic when crushed, releasing a subtle spicy fragrance
• Evergreen in mild climates; may become semi-deciduous under prolonged cold stress
Flowers:
• Solitary or in small clusters, borne in leaf axils
• Approximately 3–4 cm in diameter with 4 fleshy, rounded petals that are white to pale pink on the outside and reddish-pink within
• The most striking feature is the prominent cluster of numerous long, bright crimson stamens with yellow anthers, creating a spectacular brush-like display
• Petals are fleshy, edible, and have a sweet, slightly spicy flavor — often used in salads or as garnishes
• Flowers are primarily pollinated by birds (especially in the native range) and bees
Fruit:
• Oblong to ovoid berry, 3–8 cm long and 2–5 cm in diameter
• Skin is green to dark green, sometimes with a reddish blush; waxy and slightly rough
• Flesh is translucent, juicy, divided into a central gelatinous seed pulp surrounded by a firmer, slightly gritty outer flesh
• Contains numerous tiny, inconspicuous seeds embedded in the pulp
• Flavor is complex and aromatic — a blend of pineapple, guava, strawberry, and mint notes
• Fruit ripens in autumn and falls to the ground when mature, which is the traditional harvest indicator
Bark & Branches:
• Bark is rough and greyish-brown on mature stems
• Young branches are green and slightly angled, becoming rounded with age
• Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.5–7.0)
• Tolerates a range of soil types including sandy loams and clay loams, provided drainage is adequate
• In its native habitat, it experiences warm summers and cool winters with occasional frosts
• The plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established but produces best fruit with consistent moisture during flowering and fruit development
• In the native South American range, pollination is carried out primarily by birds (ornithophily), particularly species attracted to the fleshy, nectar-rich petals
• In cultivation outside its native range, pollination can be inconsistent due to the absence of specialized bird pollinators; hand pollination or planting multiple cultivars for cross-pollination is often recommended
• The fruit is an important food source for native birds and mammals in its natural habitat, which also serve as seed dispersers
• Rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid) — approximately 30–40 mg per 100 g of fresh fruit, comparable to many citrus fruits
• Contains significant levels of dietary fiber (~6 g per 100 g)
• Good source of folate (vitamin B9), potassium, and antioxidants including flavonoids and anthocyanins
• Contains iodine, which is unusual for a fruit — levels vary depending on soil conditions
• Low in calories (~50–60 kcal per 100 g of fresh fruit)
• Contains small amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and vitamin E
• The fruit's antioxidant capacity has been studied for potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties
Light:
• Full sun to partial shade; fruit production is best in full sun (minimum 6 hours of direct sunlight)
• Can tolerate light shade but flowering and fruiting will be reduced
Soil:
• Well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5–7.0)
• Tolerates a range of soil types but performs poorly in waterlogged or highly alkaline soils
• Incorporate organic matter (compost, well-rotted manure) at planting to improve soil structure
Watering:
• Regular watering during establishment (first 1–2 years)
• Once established, moderately drought-tolerant but benefits from consistent moisture during flowering (spring) and fruit development (summer to autumn)
• Avoid waterlogging, which can cause root rot
Temperature:
• Hardy to approximately −10°C (14°F) when dormant
• Optimal growing temperature: 15–30°C
• Requires a period of winter chill (temperatures below 7°C) for reliable flowering and fruit set
• Not suited to tropical lowland climates due to insufficient chilling
Pruning:
• Responds well to pruning and can be trained as a hedge, espalier, or small standard tree
• Prune after fruiting (late autumn to early winter) to maintain shape and encourage new flowering wood
• Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches
Propagation:
• From seed: viable but seedlings are highly variable and may not come true to the parent cultivar; typically takes 3–5 years to fruit
• From semi-hardwood cuttings: taken in late summer, treated with rooting hormone; more reliable for maintaining cultivar characteristics
• Grafting: onto seedling rootstock for improved vigor and earlier fruiting
• Named cultivars (e.g., 'Coolidge', 'Mammoth', 'Triumph', 'Apollo', 'Gemini') are propagated vegetatively to ensure fruit quality
Pollination:
• Many cultivars benefit from cross-pollination; planting two or more compatible cultivars improves fruit set
• In the absence of natural bird pollinators, hand pollination with a small paintbrush can significantly increase yields
Common Problems:
• Fruit drop — often caused by insufficient pollination, water stress, or extreme temperatures
• Scale insects and mealybugs — treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
• Fruit fly (in regions where present) — use traps or netting to protect ripening fruit
• Root rot (Phytophthora) — prevented by ensuring good drainage
Culinary Uses:
• Fresh fruit is eaten by cutting in half and scooping out the pulp with a spoon
• Used in smoothies, juices, jams, jellies, chutneys, and fruit salads
• Incorporated into baked goods such as muffins, cakes, and crumbles
• Fermented into wine, cider, and liqueurs in New Zealand and other producing regions
• Edible petals are used as salad garnishes, in cocktails, and as decorative elements in desserts
• Feijoa powder (dried and ground fruit) is marketed as a nutritional supplement
Ornamental & Landscape Uses:
• Grown as a specimen shrub or small tree in gardens and parks
• Excellent hedging plant due to its dense, evergreen foliage and tolerance of pruning
• Suitable for container growing on patios and balconies in cooler climates
• Attractive silvery-green foliage provides year-round visual interest
• Showy flowers add ornamental value in spring
Other Uses:
• The dense wood is occasionally used for small woodworking projects and tool handles
• Leaves and fruit contain essential oils that have been studied for antimicrobial properties
• Increasingly used in agroforestry systems as a companion plant due to its non-invasive root system
Fun Fact
The feijoa has a fascinating and somewhat quirky relationship with pollination that sets it apart from most fruit crops: • In its native South American range, the primary pollinators are birds — not bees. The fleshy, sweet petals are designed to attract birds, which eat the petals and inadvertently transfer pollen. This is why the petals are thick, fleshy, and edible — they are essentially a "bird bait" disguised as flower parts. • Outside its native range, where specialized bird pollinators are absent, feijoa trees often suffer from poor fruit set. Gardeners in New Zealand and California have discovered that hand pollination — gently brushing the inside of flowers with a cotton swab or small paintbrush — can dramatically increase yields. • The fruit's aroma is so distinctive and complex that it has been described by food scientists as containing over 50 different volatile compounds, including methyl benzoate (which gives the characteristic "feijoa" scent), ethyl butanoate (pineapple-like), and various terpenes. • Feijoa fruit does not ripen well on the tree — it must fall to the ground to reach full ripeness. This has led to the charming tradition in feijoa-growing regions of "feijoa season," where neighbors share fallen fruit and recipes abound. • In New Zealand, the feijoa has become something of a cultural icon. The country produces thousands of tons annually, and "feijoa season" (March to May) is eagerly anticipated. There are over 70 named cultivars in New Zealand alone, and feijoa festivals are held in some towns. • The plant's silvery-white leaf undersides are covered in tiny hairs that help reflect sunlight and reduce water loss — an adaptation to the bright, cool highland conditions of its native habitat. This same feature makes the foliage strikingly ornamental, especially when wind reveals the contrasting leaf surfaces.
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