The Acca are two species of plant that members of the Myritaceae family.  The old name for ‘Acca’ was ‘Feijoa’ from the Brazilian botanist Silvio Feijo. These plants are found in the wild in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay in sub-tropical regions, both species grow to a maximum of 4.5m in height and with a similar lateral spread.

The Acca are grown for their general ‘look’, their attention-grabbing flowers and edible fruit.  They are not at all fussy about soil.  They may prefer well-draining soil, but equally they can be grown in acidic or alkaline soils, and in dry or wet soil conditions.  However they do like a lot of light, and should be planted where they are guaranteed full sun.

As for climate they prefer a hot place which does not get frost.  In fact they will only fruit, and continue to fruit, in a frost-free environment.  However, apart from the lack of fruit they can withstand light frost.  They can be grown from seed planted in spring or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer.

Pineapple Guava:  In Turkey only one of the accas is known as Kaymak Ağacı or “Ananas Guava” (Pineapple Guava in English) with the Latin Acca sellowiana or old name Feijoa sellowiana.  They are grown in some parts of Turkey.  The ‘sellowiana’ comes from a German plant hunter Sellow who first discovered this plant in 1819.  Another Turkish name is ‘Ananas Guava’ which translates as ‘.

Cultivation of this plant in Turkey is confined to the Marmara and Black Sea regions and is not yet widespread.  It is grown for fruit and as a single trunked tree with branches starting 1 – 1.5m above the ground.  When growing commercially for fruit a space of 4-5m x 2-3m is left between trees.  Thus a 1000 sq.m. will contain between 60 and 120 trees.  The trees will start to give fruit from 3-4 years of age.  It is believed that such trees have a life span of around 50 years.

The Feijo is a hermaphroditic plant which means that its flowers contain both male and female organs and one tree will fruit.  In commercial situations to prevent single trees producing too much fruit they may spread pollen from one tree to another.  Fruits are green, about 5cm in length and oval.  They should be picked and then left for a week or so before eating.  100 gm contains only 35 calories but they are rich in Vitamin C, calcium and iodine.

In terms of landscaping multi-trunk specimens seem to be preferred.  The leaves are grey-green, 6-7 cm in length and oval or elliptical with white hairs on the undersides.  The flowers which open in summer are around 4 cm in diameter, purple-red, with a white border around the edges of the petals, long stamens which stand out in a dark red colour, and pollen sacs in yellowish white.

In landscape design these plants are grown for their foliage and the attention-grabbing flowers.  In our region they should grow anywhere that you can grow olives.