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Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



iana (Rio Grande do Sul), and presumably collected at the same time. According 

 to Andre, F. obovata differs from F. Scllowiana in its lesser height, its compressed 

 branches, and its pointed and pellucid leaves. It has probably never been intro- 

 duced to horticulture, and its fruit is unknown. 



F. Schenckiana (Kiaersk, Enum. Myrt. Bras., p. 186, t. 26, fig. A) is a spe- 

 cies much more recently described (1891). From a copy of the original descrip- 

 tion kindly furnished by the Director of Kew Gardens, it appears that the species 

 differs from F. Sellorviaiia in having oval leaves, and white petals, with other 

 minor differences. It occurs in the highlands of the province of Santa Catharina, 

 Brazil. Its fruit is unknown. 



F. Sellowiana appears to be of common occurrence in the wild state in cer- 

 tain parts of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. See under "The Feijoa 

 in South America" for more definite data in this connection. 



Common Names 



During the few years in which it has been cultivated in California the Feijoa 

 has had at least three names applied to it by nurserymen and horticulturists. 

 These are "Pineapple Guava," "Brazilian Guava" and "Fig Guava." The first 

 can not be said to be objectionable, but the other two are somewhat inappropriate. 

 The fact that the Feijoa is called "guayabo" and "guayabo del pais" by the na- 

 tives of Brazil and Uruguay denotes that it is considered as a guava by them, and 

 its close relationship to the guavas makes the use of this name allowable. But if 

 the Feijoa is to be considered as a guava, and called by this name, some additional 

 term should be used which will distinguish the Feijoa from the more or less infer- 

 ior guavas. The distinct pineapple flavor of the Feijoa has suggested the appella- 

 tion "Pineapple Guava" and as this name is fairly attractive, and conveys a cor- 

 rect idea of the nature of the fruit, no objection can be raised to its use. "Bra- 

 zilian Guava" implies but little, and is not sufficiently distinctive, since there are 

 many species of guava which are natives of Brazil. "Fig Guava" is probably 

 founded on some slight similarity, real or otherwise, between the Feijoa and the 

 fig, but as this similarity is extremely slight this name can hardly be accepted as 

 the best. 



In Europe no common name appears to have been given the Feijoa, and as a 

 matter of fact, the use of the generic name is much more general in California 

 than any other. While this name is somewhat difficult for those not familiar with 

 it, to pronounce, there can certainly be no objection to its use. And as it is under 

 this name that the plant has become established in California, it is probable that 

 it will continue to be known under the same name. 



There has been considerable difference of opinion in regard to the pronun- 

 ciation of "Feijoa" in California. These differences seem to have been the result 

 of a misunderstanding of the derivation of the word. Many have been misled by 

 the belief that the name "Feijo" from which the generic name is derived is Span- 

 ish, and eonsequentl}' have given j the sound of h. But the name is Portuguese, 

 and according to the very best authorities is pronounced Fay-zho-a, accenting the 

 middle syllable. This is the pronunciation that is used in France and in the Bo- 

 tanic Gardens in other parts of Europe. 



