Pineapple guava, Feijoa
Acca sellowiana
Family: Myrtaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
There are 6 Acca species. The fruit of this one has high levels of water soluble iodine. (1.6-4 mg/kg) They are also rich in folic acid. Fruit are high in folates 91μg/100.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate and subtropical plant. It suits cool places and can tolerate temperatures below freezing when the plant is in its dormant stage. It needs good drainage but can grow on fairly poor soils. Feijoas prefer cool winters and moderate summers (26° to 32°C), and are generally adapted to areas where temperatures stay above -9°C. They need 50 hours of chilling for good flower production. Fruit taste better in cooler than warmer climate. Plants can tolerate seaside locations. It does best in warm and subtropical zones. They are not well suited to tropical regions. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Hobart Botanical gardens. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Brazil (country/location of origin), Britain, Caucasus, Central America, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, Europe, France, Georgia, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tasmania, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The fruit are used raw or cooked. They can be used for jellies and sauces. The flower petals can be eaten raw.
It is a significant fruit tree. Trees have been tried in a few highland areas in Papua New Guinea but so far have not established or produced well. Cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit, flowers, vegetable
How it is grown
Trees can be grown from seed and transplanted. Seedling trees are not always true to type. Seed is extracted by squeezing fruit into water and letting it ferment for 4 days. Seeds are then strained out and dried. Seed can be stored dry for 12 months. Seeds germinate in 3 weeks. Grafting or cuttings can also be used with some difficulty. Young wood cuttings will root in 2 months with bottom heat and mist. Layering can also be used. Some kinds need to have cross pollination to produce fruit. It does not need any special pruning, although lateral branches can be removed to avoid overcrowding. A spacing of 2 metres is recommended.
Plants grow slowly. Trees start to fruit after 3-4 years. Fruit needs to be stored for a week or more after it falls from the tree, to become fully ripe. Birds and bees pollinate the flowers. Poor fruit bearing is normally the result of poor pollination. Fruit ripen in 4-7 months. Mature fruit can be stored in a refrigerator for about one week. Fruit can be stored at 3-5°C for 2-3 months. Dipping fruit in lemon juice after peeling stops the fruit turning brown.
Its other names
Local names
Ananasova gvava, Feikhoa, Goiaba-do-campo, Goiaba serrana, Goiaba verde, Goiabo abacaxi, Goiabeira-serrana, Guayaba chilena, Guayabo chico, Guayabo del pais, Guayabo grande, Jambu nanas
Synonyms
Feijoa sellowiana (O. Berg) O. Berg.; Orthostemon sellowianus O. Berg.; Orthostemon obovatus O. Berg.; Feijoa obovata (O. Berg.) O. Berg.; Feijoa schenkiana Kiaersk.;