Avocado (Persea americana, Gard. Dict. ed. 8: s.p. (1768))

Family: Lauraceae

Author: Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: s.p. (1768)

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Persea

Vegetable: True

Observations: C. Mexico to Costa Rica

Description

The avocado, known scientifically as Persea americana, is a fascinating and highly valued tree native to the regions stretching from central Mexico to Costa Rica. This evergreen marvel belongs to the Lauraceae family and has captured the interest of botanists and horticulturists alike since its detailed documentation in 1768 by Mill. in Gard. Dict. ed. 8: s.p.

Avocado trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates, favored by warm temperatures and well-drained soils. These resilient trees can grow up to 20 meters tall, flaunting lush, elliptical leaves that enhance the greenery of any landscape.

The fruit of the avocado tree, also called an avocado, is celebrated worldwide for its rich, buttery texture and mild, nutty flavor. The fruit’s outer skin can vary in texture and color, ranging from smooth green to dark, bumpy purple, depending on the cultivar. Inside, the creamy flesh houses a large central pit, which is often utilized for propagation.

Avocados are not only beloved for their taste but also for their nutritional benefits. They are a rich source of healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals, making them a popular ingredient in health-conscious diets. The fruit is known to support heart health, improve digestion, and provide a wealth of antioxidants.

The cultural significance of the avocado is extensive, with historical roots deeply embedded in the Mesoamerican region. It has been a staple in the diet of indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Today, avocados are integral to various cuisines around the globe, most famously featured in dishes such as guacamole.

Cultivating avocados can be both rewarding and challenging. These trees require ample sunlight, consistent watering, and protection from severe frost conditions. They also benefit from regular fertilization and pruning to maintain their health and productivity.

In summary, Persea americana, or the avocado, is a remarkable tree with a rich history and exceptional nutritional profile. From its native lands in Central America to kitchens worldwide, it continues to be a versatile and cherished component of both horticulture and cuisine.

Common Names

Deu: avocado, avocadobaum, avocadopalme
Dan: avocado
Eng: avocado, avocado pear, pear tree
Por: abacate, abacateiro, louro-abacate
Spa: aguacate, palta, palto
Fra: avocatier
Swe: avokado, avocado
Khm: ប័រ
En: Avocado, Avocado pear, Abokato, Apokad, Avokado, Vegetable, Աւկատանձ, Pear Tree, Butter Fruit, Guatemalan avocado, Ashue, Avacado, Pear, West indian avocado
Af: Avokado
Sq: Avokado
Am: አቡካዶ
Ar: أفوكادو
Hy: Ավոկադո
As: আভাকাডো
Az: Amerika avokadosu
Be: Авакада
Bn: অ্যাভোকাডো
Bi: Avoka
Br: Avoukez
Bg: Авокадо
My: ထောပတ်ပင်
Ca: Alvocat
Ch: Alagatapeha’
Zh: E li, 酪梨, 鳄梨
Hr: Avokado
Cs: Hruškovec přelahodný
Da: Avacado, Avocado
Nl: Avocado
Eo: Avokado
Et: Avokaado
Fj: Pea
Fi: Hedelmäavokado
Fr: Avocatier, Avacatier, Avocat, Avocatier d’Amérique, Zabelbok
Gl: Palta
Ka: Ავოკადო
De: Avocado, Avocadobaum, Avocadopalme
El: Αβοκάντο
Ht: Pye zaboka
He: אבוקדו
Hi: रूचिरा
Hu: Avokádó
Is: Lárpera
Io: Avokadiero
Id: Alpukat
Ga: Abhacád
It: Avocato
Ja: Abokado, Wani-nashi
Jv: Apokat
Kn: ಆವಕಾಡೊ
Kk: Авокадо
Km: ប៊័រ, ប័រ
Rw: Avoka
Ky: Авокадо
Kv: Авокадо
Ko: 아보카도
Ku: Avokado
Lo: ສາລີ້ແຂ້
Lv: Avokado
Ln: Sabúká
Lt: Amerikinė persėja
Lb: Avocado
Mg: Zavoka
Ms: Avokado
Ml: വെണ്ണപ്പഴം
Mr: अ‍ॅव्होकॅडो
Nv: Chʼil akʼahí
Ne: एभोकाडो
No: Avokado
Or: ଆଭୋକାଡୋ
Pa: ਆਵੋਕਾਦੋ
Fa: آووکادو
Pl: Smaczliwka wdzięczna
Pt: Abacateiro, Abacate, Louro-abacate
Pt-br: Abacate
Qu: Palta
Ro: Avocado
Ru: Авокадо
Sr: Авокадо
Sn: Mukotapeya
Sk: Hruškovec americký
So: Afakadho
Es: Aguacate, Palto, Avokadovec, Palta, Avacado, Ahuacate, Bego
Su: Alpuket
Sw: Mparachichi
Sv: Avokado, Avocado
Tl: Abukado
Ty: Âvōta
Zh-tw: 酪梨
Tg: Авокодо
Ta: வெண்ணெய்ப் பழம்
Tt: Авокадо
Te: అవకాడో
Th: อาโวคาโด
Ti: ኣቮካዶ
To: ʻĀvoka
Tr: Avokado
Ug: ئاۋكادۇر
Uk: Авокадо
Ur: مگر ناشپاتی
Uz: Avakado
Vi: Bơ
Cy: Afocado
Yi: אוואקאדא

Synonyms

• Persea americana var. guatemalensis ((L.O.Williams) Scora)
• Laurus persea (L.)
• Persea americana var. steyermarkii ((C.K.Allen) Scora)
• Persea gratissima var. praecox (Nees)
• Persea floccosa (Mez)
• Persea zentmyeri (Schieber & B.Bergh)
• Persea gratissima var. macrophylla (Meisn.)
• Persea gratissima var. drimyfolia ((Cham. & Schltdl.) Mez)
• Persea americana var. zentmyeri ((Schieber & B.Bergh) Scora)
• Persea gratissima var. oblonga (Meisn.)
• Persea americana var. floccosa ((Mez) Scora)
• Persea leiogyna (S.F.Blake)
• Persea gratissima var. melanocarpa (Phil.)
• Persea sylvestris (A.Rich.)
• Persea americana var. tolimanensis ((Zentmyer & Schieber) Scora)
• Persea gratissima var. vulgaris (Meisn.)
• Persea drimyfolia (Schltdl. & Cham.)
• Persea gigantea (L.O.Williams)
• Persea paucitriplinervia (Lundell)
• Persea macrocarpa (Raf.)
• Persea tolimanensis (Zentmyer & Schieber)
• Persea americana var. toltec (Popenoe)
• Persea americana var. aztec (Popenoe)
• Persea edulis (Raf.)
• Persea praecox (Poepp. ex Nees)
• Persea nubigena (L.O.Williams)
• Persea nubigena var. guatemalensis (L.O.Williams)
• Persea steyermarkii (C.K.Allen)
• Persea americana var. leiogyna ((S.F.Blake) H.P.Kelsey & Dayton)
• Persea americana var. nubigena ((L.O.Williams) L.E.Kopp)
• Persea americana var. drimyfolia ((Cham. & Schltdl.) S.F.Blake)
• Persea gratissima (C.F.Gaertn.)
• Persea americana var. angustifolia (Miranda)
• Persea persea ((L.) Cockerell)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Central American Pac (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Sep 25, 2020 by Maestre Iratxe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2019 by marie lannes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2020 by stephane gogibus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2019 by mario (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2015 by EOL − Roderic Page (cc-by)

Taken Aug 11, 2019 by Stevenazzi Fabio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2019 by Romain Fraioli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2021 by Paul G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 11, 2019 by Stevenazzi Fabio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2019 by Kalina mihaylova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2019 by Frasca Gabri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 29, 2021 by Gabriella (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2019 by Le chat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2019 by janice jan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2019 by Abaz NaIm (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 16, 2020 by Aelle J (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2020 by Inca Roberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by Silva Flavio Luiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2020 by Mária (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 13, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-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.

© 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/3034046)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:325643-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Persea americana Mill.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree

Growth