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Description

Avocado, Persea americana, is a large evergreen tree native to South Central Mexico reaching a height of about 20m, or up to 10 m if grafted. It has an irregular and dense crown, and a bole that usually branches from low down and can be up to 45 cm in diameter. The flowers are greenish-yellow and the leaves are arranged alternately. Avocado fruits are eaten raw or used as a sandwich spread and in desserts. It is pear-shaped and green with a mild and pleasant flavor. The leaves can be made into tea or, when toasted, used as flavoring in stews and bean dishes. The plant, in general, has a wide range of medicinal uses. Extracts of the leaves have shown antihypertensive and anticancer activities. The leaves are used against dysentery, coughs, high blood pressure, liver problems, and gout. The bark is used against diarrhea while the fruits are used to lower blood cholesterol level, promote hair growth, sooth skin and treat skin conditions, and as aphrodisiac. Grounded seeds are used in the treatment of various skin conditions. Seeds also yield oil, which is used in the cosmetic industry, and dye used for marking clothes. The wood is moderately soft but heavy. It is brittle and not durable, hence only ideal for light construction purposes.There are three main races of avocado: Mexican , Guatemalan , and West Indian .

Persea americana is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m by 25 m at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: medium and heavy soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Cultivation

Fodder: Fruit Global Crop Industrial Crop: Medicinal Management: Standard Other Systems: Homegarden Other Systems: Multistrata Staple Crop: Oil
Different forms of the plant can succeed in a range of climates, ranging from subtropical with occasional frosts to lowland and highland tropics, where it can be grown at elevations as high as 2,800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 14 - 40°c, but can tolerate 10 - 45°c. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -4°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 500 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 300 - 2,500mm. Prefers a rich, neutral to alkaline soil and a position in full sun. Succeeds on all kinds of soil. Requires a well-drained soil, the plant is intolerant of water-logging. West Indian rootstocks are fairly tolerant of saline conditions, though other forms are intolerant. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 5.8, tolerating 4.5 - 7. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds. Seedlings take 6- 8 years to produce fruit, whilst grafts can start fruiting in their second year. Yields of 15 tonnes per hectare have been recorded, but averages are about half that figure. Mature fruit can be left hanging on the tree for weeks without damage. The three main races of Avocado are as follows. There are many named varieties of each race:- Mexican. This is the hardiest form, succeeding in subtropical climates and not well adapted to lowland tropical conditions. It can withstand short periods when temperatures drop as low as -6°c. The optimum temperature for growth is between 14 - 25°c. It has the highest oil content, over 20% and up to 30%. Guatemalan. This form is semitropical. It can withstand short periods when temperatures drop as low as -4?c. The optimum temperature for growth is between 15 - 28°c. It has a medium oil content generally between 10 - 20%. West Indian. This form is wholly tropical and grows well in a lowland tropical climate. It can grow in a temperature range of 12 - 40°c, though the optimum is between 24 - 32?c. It has the lowest oil content, generally below 10%, down to around 3%. Although the flowers are hermaphrodite, the male organ produces pollen when the females are not receptive and so each tree is functionally self-sterile. Therefore at least two different trees are required for pollination. Each avocado flower opens twice. The female part ripens first, then the flower closes to open many hours later in the male stage. In the Mexican form, this gap is more than 24 hours, from morning to the next afternoon, whilst in the Guatemalan it is less than 24 hours. Flowering Time: Mid Spring Late Spring/Early Summer. Bloom Color: Pale Green. Spacing: 20-30 ft. .

HabitatsHumid lowland forests on limestone formations.

Resources


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