Avocado, Alligator Pear

Persea americana

Physical Characteristics

Persea americana is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK 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 (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) 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.

Distribution

Central America - Mexico.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Oil Edible Uses: Oil Fruit - raw[296 ]. The flesh has a buttery texture and a mild, oily flavour. It is commonly eaten raw and may also be used as a sandwich spread, in ice creams etc[301 ]. The pear-shaped fruit is up to 12cm long[200 ]. A non-drying oil obtained from the fruit has a mild, pleasant taste[46 , 301 ]. It is used as a salad dressing, especially with strong tasting leaves such as chicory, rocket and watercress[301 ]. A tea can be made from the leaves[301 ]. Toasted leaves are used as a flavouring in stews and bean dishes[301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Dysentery The avocado has long been used medicinally, with most parts of the plant being employed[254 ]. There has been some research into the medicinal properties of the plant that support traditional uses. Research has shown that there is anti-cancerous activity in extracts of the leaves and fresh shoots[303 ]. Leaf extracts have shown antihypertensive activity[348 ] The leaf and seed contain cyanide[348 ]. The oil from the seeds contains steroids that are used for pharmaceuticals[348 ]. The seed extract has an erythroagglutinating property[348 ]. The fruit contains reductase and transferase enzymes[348 ]. The leaves are astringent, carminative, antitussive, emmenagogue and hypotensive[238 , 348 ]. An oral infusion of the leaves is used to treat dysentery[303 ]. It is also used for relieving coughs, lowering blood pressure, treating liver obstructions, promoting menstrual flow and for clearing high uric acid levels in the body which could lead to gout[254 , 348 ]. Combined with Tripogandra serrulata, they are used as a remedy for biliousness[348 ]. The bark is astringent, carminative, antitussive and emmenagogue[238 ]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[348 ]. The fruit pulp is emollient, carminative and helps lower blood cholesterol levels[238 ]. The mashed fruit pulp is a nourishing food that is considered to have aphrodisiac properties[254 ]. From unripe fruit used to induce abortion. Used externally, the pulp is cooling and soothing to the skin - it is applied to suppurating wounds and to the scalp to promote hair growth[254 ]. The skin of the fruit has anthelmintic properties and is used traditionally for expelling worms[238 , 254 , 303 ]. The seed is ground and made into an ointment used to treat various skin afflictions, such as scabies, purulent wounds, lesions of the scalp and dandruff[303 ]. Oil extracted from the seeds has astringent properties[303 ].

Known Hazards

The unripe fruit is poisonous[303 ]. The ground up seed is mixed with cheese and used as a poisonous bait to kill rats and mice[418 ]. (Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested)