Feijoa
Feijoa
Feijoa (pronunciation: /feɪˈʒoʊ.ə/), also known as pineapple guava or guavasteen, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It is native to the highlands of southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina, and Colombia. The plant is also grown for its fruit in regions around the world.
Etymology
The term "Feijoa" is derived from the name of the Brazilian botanist João da Silva Feijó. The species name sellowiana honors Friedrich Sellow, a German who first collected and cultivated the plant.
Description
Feijoa is an evergreen shrub or small tree, 1-7 meters in height, with a spread of about 3-4 meters. The leaves are opposite, leathery, and dark green with a gray underside. The flowers are pink with a red center and have a sweet, strong scent. The fruit is green, ellipsoid, and about the size of a chicken egg. It has a sweet, aromatic flavor which tastes like pineapple, apple, and mint.
Cultivation
Feijoa is cultivated as a garden plant and fruiting tree in New Zealand, and to a lesser extent in Australia, Israel, Northern California, and South Africa. The plant is drought-tolerant and can grow in subtropical to temperate regions with cool winters.
Related Terms
- Myrtaceae: The botanical family to which Feijoa belongs.
- Evergreen: A type of plant that retains green leaves throughout the year.
- Drought-tolerant: Plants that can survive with minimal water.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Feijoa
- Wikipedia's article - Feijoa
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