A tropical laural (Persea caerulea, Jahrb. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 5:171. 1889)

Family: Lauraceae

Author: Mez (Ruiz & Pav.)

Bibliography: Jahrb. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 5:171. 1889

Year: 1889

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Persea

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. America to Venezuela and Bolivia

Description

The tropical laurel, scientifically known as Persea caerulea, is a noteworthy member of the Lauraceae family. This plant has a broad geographical range, found primarily in Central America and extending through to Venezuela and Bolivia. The particular reference to Persea caerulea can be traced back to its detailed description in the “Jahrbuch des Königlichen Botanischen Gartens und des Botanischen Museums zu Berlin” published in 1889.

The tropical laurel stands out due to its lush foliage and adaptability to a variety of climatic conditions, making it a crucial part of the regional flora where it is indigenous. Growing typically in humid, tropical environments, Persea caerulea contributes significantly to the ecological balance, providing habitat and food for various wildlife. Its leaves are evergreen, maintaining their verdure throughout the year, which plays a vital role in sustaining the humid ecosystems it resides in.

Botanists Mez and researchers Ruiz & Pavón have contributed extensively to our understanding of this species, emphasizing its botanical characteristics and ecological importance. The tropical laurel is appreciated not only for its ecological role but also for its potential uses in traditional practices and, possibly, horticulture. Its resilience and adaptability make it a subject of interest for further botanical studies, particularly concerning its growth patterns and interactions with the environment.

Common Names

En: A Tropical Laural, Augacatillo
: A tropical laural

Synonyms

• Laurus viburnoides (Willd. ex Nees)
• Persea laevigata var. caerulea ((Ruiz & Pav.) Meisn.)
• Persea laevigata (Kunth)
• Laurus caerulea (Ruiz & Pav.)
• Laurus coerulea (Ruiz & Pav. ex Meisn.)
• Persea lignitepala (Lasser)
• Laurus pyrifolia (Willd. ex Nees)
• Laurus laevigata (Willd. ex Meisn.)
• Persea skutchii (C.K.Allen)

Distribution

• Bolivia (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Venezuela (native)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 27, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 20, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 27, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4175764)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:190613-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Persea caerulea (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez)

Specifications

Growth