Acca sellowiana: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:27, 8 October 2026

Feijoa (Acca sellowiana)

Scientific name	Acca sellowiana
Genus	Acca
Family	Myrtaceae
Order	Myrtales
Growth and size	Evergreen shrub or small tree; 3–7 m
Climate and site	Well-drained acidic to neutral soil; mild subtropical climate
Propagation	Fresh seed variable; cuttings or grafting for named cultivars
Fruit and harvest	Usually autumn; green aromatic fruit drops when mature

Acca sellowiana is the accepted scientific name for feijoa, an evergreen shrub or small tree in the myrtle family.

Description[edit | edit source]

Feijoa is an evergreen perennial shrub or small tree in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to South America. The foliage is silvery, the flowers are edible, and the aromatic green fruit is harvested as a fresh fruit. In warm climates it may reach about 3–4.6 m with a similar spread; North Carolina Extension reports a smaller 1.5–1.8 m garden size under its conditions.^[1]

The accepted genus, family, and order are Acca, Myrtaceae, and Myrtales. Feijoa sellowiana is a widely encountered former name; the accepted title is Acca sellowiana.

Cultivation[edit | edit source]

Feijoa flowers and fruits best in full sun, although established plants tolerate light shade. Consistent soil moisture is important for fruit quality, but the root zone should remain well drained. In exposed sites, the evergreen shrub can also serve as a specimen, hedge, or container plant.[1]

Soil and water[edit | edit source]

Use moist, well-drained soil and water deeply and regularly while fruit is developing. North Carolina Extension reports tolerance of both sandy and heavy-clay soils, but shallow roots benefit from mulch and from avoiding prolonged saturation.[1] The source does not establish a single universal soil pH, so the summary's acidic-to-neutral wording should not be read as a strict pH requirement.

Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]

Full sun gives the best flowering and fruiting; light shade is tolerated. The plant's evergreen foliage and dense habit can suit humid gardens, but airflow remains useful where scale occur. Humidity alone is not a substitute for drainage or regular root-zone moisture management.[1]

Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]

Feijoa remains evergreen rather than entering a normal leafless dormancy. Cultivar harvest timing is usefully described as early, mid-season, or late in the New Zealand industry guide, but the local calendar depends on climate and selection. Keep moisture more consistent during flowering and fruit development; do not infer a universal harvest month from the New Zealand classification.^[2]

Propagation[edit | edit source]

Fresh seed separated from ripe fruit is the most reliable general method reported by North Carolina Extension, but seedlings are genetically variable. Summer cuttings can be rooted when propagating a named cultivar, preserving a selection more faithfully than seed.[1]

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]

The edible flowers are followed by aromatic green fruit. Harvest maturity is commonly judged by fruit softening or natural drop; handle fallen or fully ripe fruit carefully because quality declines after overripening. Cultivar, climate, crop load, and pollination can shift the harvest period, so the NZFGA early/mid/late grouping is more transferable than a single calendar date.[2]

Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]

Ripe feijoa fruit is eaten fresh, while the flowers are also edible. The plant is grown both as a fruit crop and as an ornamental evergreen shrub; North Carolina Extension also lists specimen, edible-garden, container, and privacy uses.[1]

Cultivars and selections[edit | edit source]

Named feijoa selections differ in relative harvest position, fruit traits, plant habit, and pollination behavior. The detailed comparison has been moved to Acca sellowiana cultivars and selections, while this species page retains the practical point that early, mid-season, and late selections can be combined to extend harvest and that flowering overlap matters for crop reliability.^[2]^[3]

Photos[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ [1] North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Feijoa (accessed 24 August 2026).

↑ [2] NZ Feijoa Growers Association: Feijoa varieties (accessed 24 August 2026).

↑ [3] Tui: Feijoa variety favourites (accessed 24 August 2026).

Image credits[edit | edit source]

Acca sellowiana Fruit MHNT Fronton.jpg — Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0; fruits photographed in Fronton, Haute-Garonne, France.
Feijoa sellowiana .jpg — Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0; leaves and flowers photographed in Fronton, Haute-Garonne, France.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Feijoa''' ('''''Acca sellowiana'''''; also known as feijoa) is a Myrtaceae fruit plant grown for its fruit. The accepted scientific name is used as the canonical page title.
+{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width: 320px; margin-left: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 1em;"
-{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width: 400px; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"
 |-
-| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Acca sellowiana Fruit MHNT Fronton.jpg|thumb|center|250px|Acca sellowiana fruit, flower, or plant habit. Wikimedia Commons file page.]]
+! colspan="2" style="background: #e8e8e8;" | Feijoa (''Acca sellowiana'')
 |-
-! colspan="2" style="background: #e8e8e8;" | Feijoa (''Acca sellowiana'')
+| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Acca sellowiana Fruit MHNT Fronton.jpg|250px|Fruits of ''Acca sellowiana'' photographed in Fronton, France.]]
 |-
 ! Scientific name
-|| ''Acca sellowiana''
+| ''Acca sellowiana''
 |-
 ! Genus
-|| [[Acca]]
+| [[Acca]]
 |-
 ! Family
-|| [[Myrtaceae]]
+| [[Myrtaceae]]
 |-
 ! Order
-|| [[Myrtales]]
+| [[Myrtales]]
 |-
 ! Growth and size
-|| Evergreen shrub or small tree; 3–7 m
+| Evergreen shrub or small tree; 3–7 m
 |-
 ! Climate and site
-|| Well-drained acidic to neutral soil; mild subtropical climate
+| Well-drained acidic to neutral soil; mild subtropical climate
 |-
 ! Propagation
-|| Fresh seed variable; cuttings or grafting for named cultivars
+| Fresh seed variable; cuttings or grafting for named cultivars
 |-
 ! Fruit and harvest
-|| Usually autumn; green aromatic fruit drops when mature
+| Usually autumn; green aromatic fruit drops when mature
 |}
-== Identification and description ==
+''Acca sellowiana'' is the accepted scientific name for feijoa, an evergreen shrub or small tree in the myrtle family.
-Feijoa is a cool-tolerant Myrtaceae shrub with aromatic green fruit and edible flowers. It prefers mild seasons, sun, drainage, and enough winter chill for reliable flowering.
-The accepted genus, family, and order are [[Acca]], [[Myrtaceae]], and [[Myrtales]].
+== Description ==
+Feijoa is an evergreen perennial shrub or small tree in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to South America. The foliage is silvery, the flowers are edible, and the aromatic green fruit is harvested as a fresh fruit. In warm climates it may reach about 3–4.6 m with a similar spread; North Carolina Extension reports a smaller 1.5–1.8 m garden size under its conditions.<sup id="cite_ref-1">[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]</sup>
-== Growing ==
+The accepted genus, family, and order are [[Acca]], [[Myrtaceae]], and [[Myrtales]]. ''Feijoa sellowiana'' is a widely encountered former name; the accepted title is ''Acca sellowiana''.
-Feijoa is a cool-subtropical South American shrub of upland grassland and woodland margins. It tolerates light frost, wants sun and drainage, and often fruits best where warm days are followed by cooler nights.
-Well-drained acidic to neutral soil; mild subtropical climate. Provide airflow and avoid standing water unless the species is being grown in a deliberately wet habitat.
+== Cultivation ==
+Feijoa flowers and fruits best in full sun, although established plants tolerate light shade. Consistent soil moisture is important for fruit quality, but the root zone should remain well drained. In exposed sites, the evergreen shrub can also serve as a specimen, hedge, or container plant.[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]
-=== Soil ===
+=== Soil and water ===
-Well-drained acidic to neutral soil; mild subtropical climate; preserve native drainage and organic-matter conditions rather than treating all tropical fruit trees alike.
+Use moist, well-drained soil and water deeply and regularly while fruit is developing. North Carolina Extension reports tolerance of both sandy and heavy-clay soils, but shallow roots benefit from mulch and from avoiding prolonged saturation.[[#cite_note-1|[1]]] The source does not establish a single universal soil pH, so the summary's acidic-to-neutral wording should not be read as a strict pH requirement.
 === Sun and humidity ===
-Most plants in this group prefer bright light; young trees may need shelter while roots establish. Humidity should be paired with airflow, not stagnant enclosure.
+Full sun gives the best flowering and fruiting; light shade is tolerated. The plant's evergreen foliage and dense habit can suit humid gardens, but airflow remains useful where scale occur. Humidity alone is not a substitute for drainage or regular root-zone moisture management.[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]
 === Seasonal changes ===
-Flowering and harvest vary with local wet/dry or cool/warm cycles. Adjust irrigation to the species' native rhythm and protect warm-tropical plants during cool weather.
+Feijoa remains evergreen rather than entering a normal leafless dormancy. Cultivar harvest timing is usefully described as early, mid-season, or late in the New Zealand industry guide, but the local calendar depends on climate and selection. Keep moisture more consistent during flowering and fruit development; do not infer a universal harvest month from the New Zealand classification.<sup id="cite_ref-2">[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup>
 == Propagation ==
-Fresh seed variable; cuttings or grafting for named cultivars. Seedlings may vary in fruit quality and maturity; use grafting or other clonal methods when a named selection must be preserved.
+Fresh seed separated from ripe fruit is the most reliable general method reported by North Carolina Extension, but seedlings are genetically variable. Summer cuttings can be rooted when propagating a named cultivar, preserving a selection more faithfully than seed.[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]
-[[File:Feijoa sellowiana .jpg|thumb|right|280px|Field view or fruit detail of Acca sellowiana. Wikimedia Commons file page.]]
 == Flowering, fruiting, and harvest ==
-Usually autumn; green aromatic fruit drops when mature. Local climate, cultivar, rootstock, pollination, and rainfall can shift the calendar substantially.
+The edible flowers are followed by aromatic green fruit. Harvest maturity is commonly judged by fruit softening or natural drop; handle fallen or fully ripe fruit carefully because quality declines after overripening. Cultivar, climate, crop load, and pollination can shift the harvest period, so the NZFGA early/mid/late grouping is more transferable than a single calendar date.[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]
 == Fruit and uses ==
-The ripe fruit is eaten fresh and may be used in drinks, preserves, desserts, or regional savory preparations. Handle ripe fruit carefully because many tropical fruits soften rapidly after harvest.
+Ripe feijoa fruit is eaten fresh, while the flowers are also edible. The plant is grown both as a fruit crop and as an ornamental evergreen shrub; North Carolina Extension also lists specimen, edible-garden, container, and privacy uses.[[#cite_note-1|[1]]]
-== Cultivars ==
-Feijoa cultivars differ in fruit size, skin texture, ripening time, growth habit, and pollination behavior. Self-fertile selections can set fruit alone, but planting a second compatible cultivar or a seedling commonly improves crop size and consistency.<ref name="ogw-guide">[https://onegreenworld.com/pineapple-guava-growing-guide/ One Green World: Pineapple Guava Growing Guide] (accessed 4 August 2026).</ref>
-{| class="wikitable"
-! Cultivar !! Fruit and season !! Pollination and plant notes
-|-
-| '''Coolidge''' || Very large, dark-green, tasty fruit; early ripening || Self-fertile; described by One Green World as a productive choice for Northwest gardens.<ref name="ogw-guide" />
-|-
-| '''Nikita''' || Among the earliest to ripen; flavorful fruit || Compact growth habit; One Green World lists it as a useful early selection.<ref name="ogw-guide" />
-|-
-| '''Apollo''' || Medium to large oval fruit; smooth, thin, light-green skin with a blue-green bloom; well-developed, slightly gritty pulp; mid- to late-season || Upright, spreading, vigorous, and productive; self-fertile and useful as a pollinator for other varieties.<ref name="ogw-apollo">[https://onegreenworld.com/product/apollo-pineapple-guava/ One Green World: Apollo Pineapple Guava] (accessed 4 August 2026).</ref>
-|-
-| '''Mammoth''' || Very large fruit—the largest in One Green World’s listed collection; sweet and flavorful; early ripening || Plant with another variety or seedling for cross-pollination.<ref name="ogw-mammoth">[https://onegreenworld.com/product/mammoth-pineapple-guava/ One Green World: Mammoth Pineapple Guava] (accessed 4 August 2026).</ref>
-|-
-| '''Robert''' || Large, flavorful fruit; notable flowering || Self-fertile New Zealand selection with a compact growth habit.<ref name="ogw-guide" />
-|-
-| '''Unique''' || Smaller fruit than some newer selections, but exceptionally sweet and flavorful || Completely self-fertile; a practical choice where only one plant can be grown.<ref name="ogw-unique">[https://onegreenworld.com/product/unique-pineapple-guava/ One Green World: Unique Pineapple Guava] (accessed 4 August 2026).</ref>
-|-
-| '''Waingaro™''' || Large fruit with thin skin and a sweet, lightly tart flavor; abundant crops ripening from late October into November || New Zealand selection; partially self-fertile according to the product listing, so a second variety is recommended for heavier crops.<ref name="ogw-waingaro">[https://onegreenworld.com/product/waingaro-pineapple-guava/ One Green World: Waingaro Pineapple Guava] (accessed 4 August 2026).</ref>
-|-
-| '''Kakapo''' || Small to medium fruit with strong sweetness and juicy flesh || Compare with larger-fruited selections when choosing for fresh eating and fruit size.<ref name="ogw-kakapo">[https://onegreenworld.com/product/kakapo-pineapple-guava/ One Green World: Kakapo Pineapple Guava] (accessed 4 August 2026).</ref>
-|}
-One Green World also lists newer New Zealand selections including '''Kaiteri™''', '''Kakariki™''', '''Anatoki™''', and '''Takaka™'''. Its growing guide describes these newer lines as large-fruited, thin-skinned, sweet, and flavorful, while noting that individual ripening and pollination details vary by selection. Kaiteri is described as particularly large-fruited; cultivar pages and local trial observations should be consulted before treating those broad collection-level descriptions as a direct comparison.<ref name="ogw-waingaro" /><ref name="ogw-guide" />
-Named cultivars should be propagated clonally when the fruit and pollination traits need to be preserved. Seedlings are useful pollinizers but are genetically variable and should not be assumed to reproduce the parent cultivar.
-''Cultivar names, fruit descriptions, and pollination statements above summarize One Green World’s nursery and growing-guide information; performance varies with climate, crop load, pruning, and the presence of a second flowering selection.''
-== Commentary ==
-Growers are welcome to share observations on the [[Talk:Acca sellowiana|talk page]], including climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering, fruiting, and growing conditions.
+== Cultivars and selections ==
+Named feijoa selections differ in relative harvest position, fruit traits, plant habit, and pollination behavior. The detailed comparison has been moved to [[Acca sellowiana cultivars and selections|Acca sellowiana cultivars and selections]], while this species page retains the practical point that early, mid-season, and late selections can be combined to extend harvest and that flowering overlap matters for crop reliability.<sup>[[#cite_note-2|[2]]]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-3">[[#cite_note-3|[3]]]</sup>
 == Photos ==
+[[File:Feijoa sellowiana .jpg|280px|Leaves and flowers of ''Acca sellowiana'' in Fronton, France.]]
-The images above show documented fruit, flower, or plant-habit views. See the individual Commons file pages in the image credits for authorship and license details.
+== References ==
-== Sources ==
+* <span id="cite_note-1"></span>[[#cite_ref-1|↑]] '''[1]''' [https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acca-sellowiana/common-name/feijoa/ North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Feijoa] (accessed 24 August 2026).
-* [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Acca+sellowiana Useful Tropical Plants: Acca sellowiana]
+* <span id="cite_note-2"></span>[[#cite_ref-2|↑]] '''[2]''' [https://www.feijoa.org.nz/resources/varieties NZ Feijoa Growers Association: Feijoa varieties] (accessed 24 August 2026).
+* <span id="cite_note-3"></span>[[#cite_ref-3|↑]] '''[3]''' [https://tuigarden.co.nz/inspiration-hub/ideas-and-inspiration/feijoa-variety-favourites/ Tui: Feijoa variety favourites] (accessed 24 August 2026).
 == Image credits ==
+* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acca_sellowiana_Fruit_MHNT_Fronton.jpg Acca sellowiana Fruit MHNT Fronton.jpg] — Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0; fruits photographed in Fronton, Haute-Garonne, France.
-* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acca_sellowiana_Fruit_MHNT_Fronton.jpg Acca sellowiana Fruit MHNT Fronton.jpg] — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
+* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Feijoa_sellowiana_.jpg Feijoa sellowiana .jpg] — Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0; leaves and flowers photographed in Fronton, Haute-Garonne, France.
-* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Feijoa_sellowiana_.jpg Feijoa sellowiana .jpg] — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
 [[Category:Fruits]]
 [[Category:Myrtaceae]]
 [[Category:Acca]]