Paper short abstract:

The feijoa (Acca sellowiana) is a fruit species native on the highlands of southern Brazil and northern Uruguay. The species was introduced outside of its center of origin and being disseminated to various countries. This paper aims to understand the process of the spread of this fruit.

Paper long abstract:

Feijoa is a fruit that was and remain important to the economy of many countries where it was introduced. The objective of this paper is to analyze the historical process of the feijoa dissemination, around the world. The study of the spread of a plant species is a dynamic process that goes beyond borders and points out the importance of human beings on the frequent changes in landscape. Through the knowledge agencies such as Botanical gardens, associations and nurseries, that the feijoa was spread and acclimated in different regions as: France, United States, Russia, New Zeeland, Colombia and others. In the United States, the feijoa was introduced by the nurserymen and botanist Francesco Franchesci, who was responsible for popularizing the plant. The United States nurseries had an important role the process of spread plants for different countries, as happened with the feijoa in the 20th century. Nowadays, New Zealand and Colombia have gained the position of world largest producer and exporter of the fruit. In Brazil, farmers have been managing the species for several purposes, at least for a century, and in the last two decades, the agroecological production and commercialization has been increasingly in the fruit market. On the Brazilian ecosystem where feijoa is native, the damage caused by the introduction of exotic species have, especially in the last decades, taken quickly the space of this and other native species.