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Persea americana

Accession Count: 0
Common Name: avocado, aguacate
Family Name: Acanthaceae
Botanical Name: Persea americana
Synonyms:
Family Synonyms: Lauraceae
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Persea americana is a low-branching, erect tree with a densely rounded or spreading form, and a high, open canopy (1, 2). Species are capable of reaching up to 80 feet tall and living 50-150 years, although in cultivation most specimens remain 30-40 feet and have a longevity of 50 years (1, 3). The avocado tree has light gray bark and branches that will droop as the tree matures, both of which are susceptible to breakage (1, 3). The leathery, evergreen, oval shaped leaves are glossy and dark green, with paler green undersides and an aniseed-aroma when crushed (1, 4). During the winter, large clusters of up to 300 greenish-yellow flowers will bloom in panicles at the end of branches (2, 4, 5). The flowers are bisexual and dichogamous, with Type A flowers blooming as female in the morning and male in the afternoon of the following day; while Type B flowers bloom as female in the afternoon and male in the morning of the following day, promoting outcrossing (6). A large, fleshy, bumpy or smooth fruit will appear 6-18 months after flowering, possessing purple to black skin and yellow to light-green flesh at maturity (7).
Compound: Per ame
Geographic Origin: Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History: The fleshy fruit of P. americana is theorized to be the result of a coevolutionary adaptation to dispersal by now extinct gomphotheres (8). Originating from Central America and Mexico, the avocado has been an important dietary component for over 9,000 years, being cultivated since 8,000 BCE, and appearing in archaeological records as far back as 10,000 BCE (4, 9). Originally, P. americana was cultivated from the Rio Grande to central Peru, but was transported throughout the tropical and subtropical world after the arrival of Europeans – Jamaica, 1696; Philippines, end of the 16th century; Dutch East Indies, 1750; Mauritius, 1780; Singapore, 1830; India, 1892; Hawaii, 1825; Florida, 1833; and California, 1871. Vegetative propagation began in 1890, but commercial plantings were not established until 1930 (10). Today, P. americana is valued for its highly nutritious fruits, being cultivated in numerous Mediterranean and tropical habits throughout the world (8). There are three ecological races of avocado – Mexican (subtropical), Guatemalan (semitropical), and West Indian (tropical) – with varying tolerance for environmental conditions (11).
The scientific name Persea americana was designated by Philip Miller in 1768, when it was published within The Gardener’s Dictionary: Eighth Edition (12). The genus, Persea, is the Greek name for an Egyptian tree (Cordia myxa), while the specific epithet, americana, means “of the Americas” (5). The common name “avocado” derives from the Aztec Nahuatl word ahuacatl, “testicle”, for the shape of the avocado fruits, valued by the ancient Aztecs as a symbol of fertility (9).
Cultivation Notes: P. americana is considered hardy to USDA zones 9a to 10b (20-35°F) (13). However, the three races show differing tolerance for frost, with Mexican avocado surviving down to 20°F, Guatemalan varieties to 28°F, and West Indian varieties only being hardy to 32°F (2). However, none of the races should be exposed to prolonged periods of frost, poorly aeriated soils, or high winds, the latter of which will reduce pollination (8). Light shade is tolerated, but fruiting will suffer in overly dark conditions - provide full sun and warmth in order to encourage growth (2, 5) While nearly all varieties tolerate temperatures over 100°F, fruit drop and loss may occur in prolonged periods of high temperatures (7). Soil must be well-draining, well-aeriated, and have a high organic content, preferably within the pH range of 5-5.8. However, a pH of 4.5-7 and most soil conditions will be tolerated, as long as low salt is maintained (11).
Propagation is possible through grafting, rootstocks, and layering, which utilizes two methods of vegetative propagation and maintains fruit quality (4). At the same time, avocado can be propagated by planting the seed, or pit. However, seeds will only be viable for one month after harvesting, and many forms do not come true from seed (7).
Ethnobotany: Persea americana has been extensively used for medicinal, culinary, and cultural purposes, being considered a symbol of fertility by the Nahuatl people (4). The oil from avocado seeds is of excellent quality and has been valued by the cosmetic industry for use in soaps and skin moisturizers, while the fruit pulp is used in hair restoring products (10, 11). At the same time, a yellowish-green essential oil can be extracted from the leaves (11).  From the seed, a reddish-brown to blackish ink can be produced, which were used to write documents during the Spanish Conquest, as well as in marking cotton or linen textiles. In Guatemala, the bark is boiled with dyes to set the color (10). The wood is brittle, heavy, and not as valued as the production of fruits. However, good quality veneer and plywood have been produced, and used in the building of houses, furniture, sculptures, agricultural tools, and other creations (11). Lastly, the bark, leaves, pits, and skin of P. americana trees are toxic to animals, resulting in sickness or death when consumed (8). As a result, the ground seed is often mixed with cheese as a rat or mouse poison (11). However, despite the toxicity, the avocado “meat” is considered safe, and is used in the AvoDerm brand of dog and cat food (8).
Often consumed raw, the avocado fruit is a popular ingredient in many dishes. It is valued in sandwiches and salads, while an oil derived from the fruit is used as a salad dressing (10). In Mexico, the dip “guacamole” is created from a blend of avocado fruit and other seasonings, and is very popular throughout the world. In Brazil, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Java, the avocado is sweetened and consumed in sherbet, ice cream, milk shakes, and boiled custard; mixed with coffee; or simply coated with sugar and eaten raw (10).
At the same time, P. americana has been valued in traditional medicine as a treatment of many ailments, including hypertension, stomach-ache, bronchitis, diarrhea, and diabetes. It possesses vasorelaxant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, antiulcer, antioxidant, and anticonvulsant properties, and is capable of promoting the healing of wounds and treatment of tumors or labial cancer (4, 14). Other treatments include use of the powdered seed to cure dandruff, a piece of the seed to cure toothache, oil from the seed to cure skin eruptions, and a leaf decoction to stimulate and regulate menstruation (10). In Mexico and Peru, skin of the avocado fruit is used to treat parasitic intestinal worms, and the Wapixana tribe of Brazil uses P. americana ‘Abacate’ leaves to treat malaria (4).
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season: Winter
Color: White
Function: Shade
Spread: Spreading
Allergen: Allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Toxic
Hardy: Semi-hardy
Water Use: Moderate Water Use
Citations:
  1. Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  2. Trade Winds Fruit. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  3. University of Florida. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  4. Kew Science: Plants of the World Online. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  5. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  6. Britannica. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  7. Gardening in Tucson, Phoenix, Arizona, and California. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  8. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  9. ScienceDirect. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  10. Purdue University: Horticulture & Landscape Architecture. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  11. Plants for a Future. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  12. Tropicos. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  13. Dave’s Garden. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
  14. US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved February 7th, 2021.
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Persea americana