Feijoa sellowiana

Feijoa sellowiana, also known as pineapple guava or guavasteen, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, native to the highlands of southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina, and Colombia. It is widely cultivated as a garden plant and fruiting tree in New Zealand, and can be found in other subtropical areas worldwide.

Description

The Feijoa sellowiana is an evergreen, perennial shrub or small tree, 1-7 meters in height, with a spread of about 3-4 meters. The leaves are opposite, leathery, elliptic to ovate, 3-6 cm long, and grey-green with a whitish bloom. The flowers, produced in spring and early summer, are very attractive with red stamens and white petals.

Cultivation

Feijoa sellowiana is grown as an ornamental tree and for its fruit. The plant is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, and has a preference for a sunny, well-drained spot. It is somewhat tolerant of drought and salt in the air (coastal conditions), but not of cold or high winds.

Fruit

The fruit, maturing in autumn, is green, ellipsoid, and about the size of a chicken egg. It has a sweet, aromatic flavor, which tastes like pineapple, apple and mint. The flesh is juicy and is divided into a clear, gelatinous seed pulp and a firmer, slightly granular, opaque flesh nearer the skin.

Uses

The fruit is eaten by cutting it in half, then scooping out the pulp with a spoon. The fruit has a juicy sweet seed pulp, and slightly gritty flesh nearer the skin. The fruit is also used in a variety of culinary applications including jams, jellies, desserts and cocktails.

See also

• List of culinary fruits
• List of Myrtaceae genera