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+F. W. Popenoe.
−}}
−{{Plantbox
−| name = ''Feijoa''
−| common_names = Pineapple Guava, Feijoa, Guavasteen
−| growth_habit = [[Shrub]] or Tree
−| high = 25 ft (8 m)
−| wide = 25 ft (8 m)
−| origin = S Brazil, N Argentina, W Paraguay, Uruguay
−| poisonous =
−| lifespan =
−| exposure = Sun, semi-shade
−| water = regular (deep), drought tolerant
−| features = Fruit, flowers, foliage
−| hardiness = 15 F
−| bloom =
−| usda_zones = 8a-10b
−| sunset_zones = 7-9, 12-31, warmer 32
−| color = IndianRed
−| name = Feijoa
−| image = Feijoa_HortResearch.jpg
−| image_width = 240px
−| image_caption = Pineapple Guava ''Feijoa sellowiana'' fruit
−| regnum = Plantae
−| divisio = Magnoliophyta
−| classis = Magnoliopsida
−| ordo = Myrtales
−| familia = Myrtaceae
−| genus = Feijoa
−| species = sellowiana
The '''Feijoa''' ('''''Feijoa sellowiana''''', synonym ''Acca sellowiana''), also known as '''Pineapple Guava''' or '''Guavasteen''', is an [[evergreen]] [[shrub]] or small [[tree]], 1-7 m in height, originating from the highlands of southern [[Brazil]], parts of [[Colombia]], [[Uruguay]] and northern [[Argentina]]. In more recent times Feijoa sellowiana has been renamed Acca sellowiana, but most sources still use the older name. It is a warm-[[temperate]] to [[subtropical]] [[plant]] that will also grow in the [[tropic]]s but requires some winter chilling to fruit. In the [[northern hemisphere]] it has been cultivated as far north as western [[Scotland]] but does not fruit every year, as winter temperatures below about -9°C will kill the flower buds.
−Feijoas prefer cool winters and moderate summers (80° to 90° F), and are generally adapted to areas where temperatures stay above 15° F. Flower production is poor in areas with fewer than 50 hours of chilling. The flavor of the fruit is much better in cool than in warm regions. Even thought the plants are relatively hardy, sudden fall frosts can damage ripening fruit and late spring frosts can destroy blossoms. Spring frost damage is most likely in mild-winter areas, where the plants are not completely hardened off and respond to warm spells by blooming early.
−Growth Habit: The feijoa is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that can reach 15 ft. high and 15 ft. wide. The bark is pale gray and the spreading branches are swollen at the nodes and white-hairy when young. In addition to the fruit it provides, the shrub also doubles handsomely as a landscape specimen. When planted close together, the shrubs make a nice hedge, screen, or windbreak. Feijoas can also be espaliered or trained as a small tree (20 to 25 ft. tall) with one or more trunks. The wood is dense, hard, and brittle.
−Foliage: The evergreen, thick, leathery leaves of the feijoa are opposite, short-petioled and bluntly elliptical. In size they range from 1 to 2-1/2 inches long and 5/8 to 1 inch wide. The leaves are smooth soft green on top and silvery underneath, flashing nicely in a gentle breeze.
−Flowers: The 1 inch showy, bisexual flowers, borne singly or in a cluster, have long, bright red stamens topped with large grains of yellow pollen. Flowers appear late, from May through June. Each flower contains four to six fleshy flower petals that are white tinged with purple on the inside. These petals are mildly sweet and edible and can make a refreshing addition to spring salads. Birds eating the petals pollinate the flower.
−It has been said that feijoa pollen is transferred by birds that are attracted to and eat the flowers, but bees are the chief pollinators. Most flowers pollinated with compatible pollen show 60 to 90% fruit set. Hand pollination is nearly 100% effective. Two or more bushes should be planted together for cross-pollination unless the cultivar is known to be self-compatible. Poor bearing is usually the result of inadequate pollination.
−[[Image:feijoas_on_white.jpg|thumb|left|Whole and cut feijoas.]]
−Fruits: The fruits range from 3/4 to 3-1/2 inches long and vary in shape from round to elongated pear shape, with the persistent calyx segments adhering to the apex. The waxy skin is dull blue-green to blue or grayish green, sometimes with a red or orange blush. Skin texture varies from smooth to rough and pebbly and is 3/16 to 5/8 inch thick. The fruit emits a strong long-lasting perfume, even before it is fully ripe. The thick, white, granular, watery flesh and the translucent central pulp enclosing the seeds are sweet or subacid, suggesting a combination of pineapple and guava or pineapple and strawberry, often with overtones of winter green or spearmint. There are usually 20 - 40, occasionally more, very small, oblong seeds hardly noticeable when the fruit is eaten.
−The [[fruit]] matures in [[autumn]] and is green, chicken-egg-sized, and ellipsoid-shaped. It has a sweet, aromatic flavour. The flesh is juicy and is divided into a clear jelly-like seed pulp and a firmer, slightly gritty opaque flesh nearer the skin. The fruit drops when ripe, but can be picked from the tree prior to drop to prevent bruising. This plant is [[monotypic]] in its [[genus]]. Like the closely-related [[guava]], the fruit pulp has a gritty texture which is utlised in some natural cosmetic products as an exfoliant.
[[Category:Evergreen tree]]+[[Category:Evergreen shrub]]
−
−[[Category:Fruit]]
−
−[[Category:Flowers]]
−[[Category:Spring bloom]]
−[[Category:Summer bloom]]
−
−[[Category:White flowers]]
−[[Category:Red flowers]]
−[[Category:Pink flowers]]
−
−[[Category:Silver foliage]]
−
−[[Category:Large plant]]
−
−[[Category:USDA Zone 8]]
−[[Category:USDA Zone 9]]
−[[Category:USDA Zone 10]]
{{SPlantbox
+|familia=Myrtaceae
+|genus=Acca
+|species=sellowiana
+|common_name=Feijoa, Pineapple Guava, Guavasteen
+|habit=shrub
+|Max ht box=25
+|Max ht metric=ft
+|Max wd box=25
+|Max wd metric=ft
+|origin=E South America
+|lifespan=perennial
+|exposure=sun, part-sun
+|water=moderate, dry
+|features=evergreen, flowers, edible, fruit, foliage, drought tolerant
+|flowers=red, white
+|Min Temp Num=15
+|Temp Metric=°F
+|min_zone=8
+|max_zone=10.5
+|sunset_zones=7-9, 12-31, warmer 32
+|image=Acca sellowiana 002.JPG
+|image_width=220
+|image_caption=Pineapple Guava flower
+}}
+The '''Feijoa''' ('''''Acca sellowiana''''', synonym ''Feijoa sellowiana''), also known as '''Pineapple Guava''' or '''Guavasteen''', is an [[evergreen]] [[shrub]] or small [[tree]], 1-7 m in height, originating from the highlands of southern [[Brazil]], parts of [[Colombia]], [[Uruguay]] and northern [[Argentina]]. In more recent times Feijoa sellowiana has been renamed Acca sellowiana, but most sources still use the older name. It is a warm-[[temperate]] to [[subtropical]] [[plant]] that will also grow in the [[tropic]]s but requires some winter chilling to fruit. In the [[northern hemisphere]] it has been cultivated as far north as western [[Scotland]] but does not fruit every year, as winter temperatures below about -9°C will kill the flower buds.
+
+Feijoas prefer cool winters and moderate summers (80° to 90° F), and are generally adapted to areas where temperatures stay above 15° F. Flower production is poor in areas with fewer than 50 hours of chilling. The flavor of the fruit is much better in cool than in warm regions. Even thought the plants are relatively hardy, sudden fall frosts can damage ripening fruit and late spring frosts can destroy blossoms. Spring frost damage is most likely in mild-winter areas, where the plants are not completely hardened off and respond to warm spells by blooming early.
+
+Growth Habit: The feijoa is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that can reach 15 ft. high and 15 ft. wide. The bark is pale gray and the spreading branches are swollen at the nodes and white-hairy when young. In addition to the fruit it provides, the shrub also doubles handsomely as a landscape specimen. When planted close together, the shrubs make a nice hedge, screen, or windbreak. Feijoas can also be espaliered or trained as a small tree (20 to 25 ft. tall) with one or more trunks. The wood is dense, hard, and brittle.
+
+Foliage: The evergreen, thick, leathery leaves of the feijoa are opposite, short-petioled and bluntly elliptical. In size they range from 1 to 2-1/2 inches long and 5/8 to 1 inch wide. The leaves are smooth soft green on top and silvery underneath, flashing nicely in a gentle breeze.
+
+Flowers: The 1 inch showy, bisexual flowers, borne singly or in a cluster, have long, bright red stamens topped with large grains of yellow pollen. Flowers appear late, from May through June. Each flower contains four to six fleshy flower petals that are white tinged with purple on the inside. These petals are mildly sweet and edible and can make a refreshing addition to spring salads. Birds eating the petals pollinate the flower.
+
+It has been said that feijoa pollen is transferred by birds that are attracted to and eat the flowers, but bees are the chief pollinators. Most flowers pollinated with compatible pollen show 60 to 90% fruit set. Hand pollination is nearly 100% effective. Two or more bushes should be planted together for cross-pollination unless the cultivar is known to be self-compatible. Poor bearing is usually the result of inadequate pollination.
+
+[[Image:feijoas_on_white.jpg|thumb|left|Whole and cut feijoas.]]
+Fruits: The fruits range from 3/4 to 3-1/2 inches long and vary in shape from round to elongated pear shape, with the persistent calyx segments adhering to the apex. The waxy skin is dull blue-green to blue or grayish green, sometimes with a red or orange blush. Skin texture varies from smooth to rough and pebbly and is 3/16 to 5/8 inch thick. The fruit emits a strong long-lasting perfume, even before it is fully ripe. The thick, white, granular, watery flesh and the translucent central pulp enclosing the seeds are sweet or subacid, suggesting a combination of pineapple and guava or pineapple and strawberry, often with overtones of winter green or spearmint. There are usually 20 - 40, occasionally more, very small, oblong seeds hardly noticeable when the fruit is eaten.
+
+The [[fruit]] matures in [[autumn]] and is green, chicken-egg-sized, and ellipsoid-shaped. It has a sweet, aromatic flavour. The flesh is juicy and is divided into a clear jelly-like seed pulp and a firmer, slightly gritty opaque flesh nearer the skin. The fruit drops when ripe, but can be picked from the tree prior to drop to prevent bruising. This plant is [[monotypic]] in its [[genus]]. Like the closely-related [[guava]], the fruit pulp has a gritty texture which is utlised in some natural cosmetic products as an exfoliant.
+
{{Inc|
{{Inc|
Feijoa. The Feijoa, or Pineapple Guava (Feijoa Sellowiana, Berg, family Myrtaceae) is indigenous to western Paraguay, southern Brazil, Uruguay, and parts of Argentina, where it is common in the forests, and the fruit is highly esteemed by the natives though not cultivated. It was introduced to southern Europe in 1890, and is grown along the Riviera, both in France and Italy. From the former country it was introduced to the United States about 1900, and is becoming widely planted in California. Its distribution in other countries is very limited.
Feijoa. The Feijoa, or Pineapple Guava (Feijoa Sellowiana, Berg, family Myrtaceae) is indigenous to western Paraguay, southern Brazil, Uruguay, and parts of Argentina, where it is common in the forests, and the fruit is highly esteemed by the natives though not cultivated. It was introduced to southern Europe in 1890, and is grown along the Riviera, both in France and Italy. From the former country it was introduced to the United States about 1900, and is becoming widely planted in California. Its distribution in other countries is very limited.
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Several named varieties have been established, of which the most prominent are Andre and Besson.
Several named varieties have been established, of which the most prominent are Andre and Besson.
−}}
}}
−==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
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* '''Trask''' - Originated as a bud sport of Coolidge. Medium to large, oblong fruit, up to 3-1/2 inches long and weighing 3 to 5 ounces. Rough, dark green skin. Shells thicker and grittier than Coolidge. Flavor and quality good to very good. Ripens early. Tree self-fertile, but most productive when cross-pollinated. Precocious. Ideal pollinator for Nazemetz.
* '''Trask''' - Originated as a bud sport of Coolidge. Medium to large, oblong fruit, up to 3-1/2 inches long and weighing 3 to 5 ounces. Rough, dark green skin. Shells thicker and grittier than Coolidge. Flavor and quality good to very good. Ripens early. Tree self-fertile, but most productive when cross-pollinated. Precocious. Ideal pollinator for Nazemetz.
* '''Triumph''' - Selected in New Zealand from seedlings of the Choiceana cultivar. Short, oval, plump fruits., not pointed as those of Coolidge, medium to large. Skin uneven but firm. Flesh somewhat gritty but with good seed to pulp ratio. Excellent sharp flavor. Ripens to midseason. Tree upright, of medium vigor. Bears heavily if pollinated. Good pollinator for Mammoth.
* '''Triumph''' - Selected in New Zealand from seedlings of the Choiceana cultivar. Short, oval, plump fruits., not pointed as those of Coolidge, medium to large. Skin uneven but firm. Flesh somewhat gritty but with good seed to pulp ratio. Excellent sharp flavor. Ripens to midseason. Tree upright, of medium vigor. Bears heavily if pollinated. Good pollinator for Mammoth.
+
+==Gallery==
+
+<gallery>
+File:Acca sellowiana tree .jpg
+File:Dettaglio fiore albero roseto Roma.JPG
+File:Feijoa HortResearch.jpg
+</gallery>
==References==
==References==
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* [http://www.feijoa.org.nz/ New Zealand Feijoa Growers Association Inc.]
* [http://www.feijoa.org.nz/ New Zealand Feijoa Growers Association Inc.]
−__NOTOC__
−
