Common Name: Pineapple Guava
Latin Name: Acca sellowiana
Family Name: Myrtaceae (Myrtle)
Geographical Range: Native to the highlands of southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Paraguay. It is also cultivated in subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world, including New Zealand, California, and southern Europe.
Fun Fact: Pineapple Guava not only produces edible fruit but also edible flowers. The petals of its blossoms are sweet and can be used in salads or as garnishes.
Uses by people: The fruit is eaten fresh or used in jams, jellies, and desserts. It has a flavor resembling a mix of pineapple, guava, and mint. The plant is often grown as an ornamental hedge due to its attractive flowers and foliage.
Uses by animals: Birds and mammals consume the fruit, contributing to seed dispersal. Bees and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers for nectar.
Roles in their ecosystem: Its dense foliage provides shelter for birds and small animals. The plant can also be used as part of windbreaks, used to slow wind, in cultivated landscapes.
