Feijoa (Acca sellowiana): pineapple guava — description, cultivation and uses

Description and characteristics

Feijoa produces oval, green fruits with a thin, slightly bumpy skin and a creamy, granular pulp that surrounds a jelly-like seed cavity. The pulp is aromatic and described variously as a blend of pineapple, guava and strawberry notes. The plant bears waxy, grey-green leaves and showy flowers with edible petals that are sometimes eaten raw. It tolerates light frosts and prefers well-drained soil and a sunny to part-shaded position.

Native range and cultivated regions

Feijoa is native to the highland regions of South America. Native and naturalized regions include:

• southern Brazil
• parts of Colombia
• Uruguay
• Paraguay
• northern Argentina

Outside its native range it is widely cultivated in temperate zones and mild coastal climates such as:

• Azerbaijan
• Iran
• Georgia
• Russia (including Sochi)
• New Zealand
• Tasmania and Australia

Cultivation, pollination and harvest

Feijoa is grown in home gardens and commercially where winters are mild but chilling is sufficient to induce flowering. Plants are commonly propagated by cuttings, grafting or seed. While some varieties set fruit alone, many benefit from cross-pollination by bees or another cultivar to improve fruit set and size. Fruits generally ripen in late summer to autumn in temperate hemispheres and are picked when slightly soft and fragrant.

Uses and importance

The fruit is eaten fresh by scooping the pulp, and it is also used in jams, jellies, juices, desserts and baked goods. Petals of the flowers are edible and sometimes used as a garnish. Feijoas provide dietary fiber and vitamin C and are valued for their distinct aroma in culinary and small-scale commercial products. In addition to fruit production, the plant is used as an ornamental hedge or specimen because of its attractive foliage and flowers.

History and nomenclature

The common name "feijoa" derives from a botanist’s name; the species has been known both under the older genus name Feijoa and the currently accepted Acca sellowiana. It has spread globally from South America into suitable climates worldwide. Gardeners and small growers prize it for its unusual flavor, ornamental value and relative ease of care in compatible climates.

Notes and distinctions

Although often called "pineapple guava," feijoa is not a true guava (Psidium) nor directly related to pineapple; the name refers to the fruit’s aromatic, pineapple-like notes. Varietal differences affect size, sweetness and bloom time, so growers select cultivars to match local conditions and pollination needs.