Acca sellowiana

An evergreen shrub reaching 3 m tall and wide at medium growth rate. Hardy to UK zone 8, not frost tender. Flowers in July with seeds ripening October to January. Hermaphroditic but not self-fertile, insect-pollinated and noted for attracting wildlife. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage, across acidic to alkaline pH. Requires full sun, tolerates drought and maritime exposure.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, with a delicious aromatic flavour often described as a cross between pineapple and strawberry. It is best eaten fresh but also works well in pies, cakes, puddings, jams, and jellies. Fruits can suffer damage from autumn frosts, though flavour develops better at low temperatures. Each fruit grows up to 7.5cm long. The flower petals are also edible raw — sweet, crisp, and flavourful, tasting more like a fruit than many fruits do. They should be harvested just after they begin to soften.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are used raw or cooked. They can be used for jellies and sauces. The flower petals can be eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

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.

Where It Grows

Africa, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Brazil*, 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, PNG, Paraguay, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tasmania, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

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.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse, rinsing it beforehand to remove any fruit flesh that could inhibit germination. The seed usually germinates in 3–6 weeks at 15°C. Prick seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow on through at least the first winter under glass, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts, with some protection during the first winter outdoors. Half-ripe cuttings of 5–7cm with a heel can be taken in July or August and rooted in a frame. Rooting is slow but eventually yields a good percentage take.

Other Uses

Due to its dense foliage and attractive flowers, feijoa can be used in agroforestry as a hedgerow or border plant. It resists maritime exposure and can be grown as a shelter hedge in mild maritime areas despite not being very cold hardy in Britain. The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen and are highly attractive to pollinators including bees. Various birds and small mammals consume the fruit, and the dense foliage provides cover for wildlife, offering shelter and potential nesting or roosting sites. The plant structure can also offer overwintering sites for invertebrates, and fallen leaves contribute to ground cover, benefiting soil organisms.

Production

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.

Other Information

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.

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

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

References (61)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 219 (As Feijoa sellowiana)
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 70 (As Feijoa sellowiana)
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 470
• Brack, P., et al, 2020, Frutas nativas do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: riqueza e potencial alimentício. Native fruits of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: richness and potential as food. Rodriguésia 71: e03102018.
• Brazil: Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition. http://www.b4fn.org/countries/brazil/

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