Avocado is a large, spreading evergreen tree with an irregular, dense crown.
It can vary widely in height depending on variety, typically 8 - 10 metres when grafted,
and up to 20 metres when grown on its own roots.
The fruit is widely appreciated worldwide, valued for its oil and medicinal applications.
It is extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.

Known Hazards

Unripe fruit is poisonous.
Ground seed is used as a poisonous bait to kill rats and mice.

Habitat

Humid lowland forests on limestone formations.

Cultivation Status

Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Avocado can thrive in a range of climates from subtropical to lowland and highland tropics.
It tolerates temperatures between 10 - 45°C, with optimal growth between 14 - 40°C.
Can survive down to -4°C when dormant, but young growth is sensitive to -1°C.
Prefers annual rainfall of 500 - 2,000mm, tolerating 300 - 2,500mm.
Requires rich, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun, well-drained but intolerant of water-logging.
West Indian rootstocks are saline-tolerant.
pH preference is 5 - 5.8, tolerating 4.5 – 7.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw; has buttery texture and mild, oily flavor, commonly eaten raw.
Fruit oil used as salad dressing.
Leaves used to make tea or toasted for flavoring.
Seed used to make ointments and non-drying oil for cosmetics.

Medicinal

Various parts used medicinally: leaves, seed, pulp.
Leaves have antihypertensive and anti-cancerous properties.
Seed oil contains steroids used in pharmaceuticals.
Pulp is emollient and used for lowering cholesterol.
Traditional uses include treating dysentery, coughs, hypertension, and promoting hair growth.

Agroforestry Uses

None Recorded

Other Uses

Seed pulp and oil used in cosmetics.
Seed provides fatty acids for cosmetic products.
Seed also yields a dye for marking clothes.
Wood used for construction, furniture, carving, and novelties; not durable but good for veneer and plywood.

Propagation

Seed - germinates in about a month if sown fresh, quicker if seed coat is removed.
Optimal germination temperature around 25°C daytime and 15°C nighttime.
Seedlings grow quickly under warm, moist conditions.