Persea americana
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Persea americana Common Names: Avocado, Alligator Pear, Butter Fruit,
Aguacate Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Magnoliids Order: Laurales Family: Lauraceae Genus: Persea Species: P. americana Authority: Mill. Synonyms: Laurus persea L., Persea edulis Raf., Persea gratissima Gaertn.f., Persea drymifolia Schltdl. & Cham. Morphological Description Persea americana is a medium-sized evergreen tree in the Lauraceae family,
typically growing 9–20 m tall with a dense, rounded canopy: · Stem: Single trunk, 30–60 cm in diameter, with smooth to fissured
grey-brown bark (Fern, 2024). · Leaves: Alternate, elliptic to ovate, 8–25 cm long, 4–10 cm wide,
glossy dark green above, paler beneath (Barwick, 2004). · Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow, 5–10 mm wide, in panicles, blooming
December–March (Burkill, 1997). · Fruit: Pear-shaped berry, 7–20 cm long, with a single large seed
(2–4 cm), fleshy mesocarp buttery and golden-green when ripe (Fern, 2024). Distribution and Habitat Persea americana is native to Mesoamerica and widely cultivated globally: · Range: Originated in south-central Mexico and Guatemala; now grown
in California, Peru, South Africa, Australia, Israel (Fern, 2024). · Habitat: Tropical and subtropical climates, 0–2,800 m altitude;
prefers well-drained loamy soils, 20–30°C, 1,000–2,000 mm rainfall (Burkill,
1997). Ethnopharmacology Persea americana has a rich history in traditional medicine, containing
phenolics, flavonoids, and monounsaturated fats (Yasir et al., 2010).
Traditionally, various parts of the avocado tree have been employed to address
ailments such as hypertension, stomach ache, bronchitis, diarrhea, and
diabetes. The fruit is rich in monounsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and
minerals, contributing to cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels
and reducing heart disease risk. Avocado seeds have demonstrated potential in
improving hypercholesterolemia and may be beneficial in managing hypertension,
inflammatory conditions, and diabetes. Additionally, the leaves possess
antihypertensive and anticancer activities and are traditionally used to treat
dysentery, coughs, liver problems, and gout. While these findings support the
traditional uses of Persea americana, further research is necessary to fully
validate its medicinal properties and establish standardized therapeutic applications. · Antidiabetic: Leaf extract in Nigeria (300 mg/kg) reduced glucose by 40%
in diabetic rats (Lima et al., 2012). · Antihypertensive: Seed infusions in Mexico lower blood
pressure; fruit pulp (200 g/day) reduced hypertension markers by 15% (Tabeshpour
et al., 2017). · Wound Healing: Seed extract in Cameroon enhanced wound closure by 50% in
rats (Nayak et al., 2012). · Anti-inflammatory: Leaf decoctions in Peru treat rheumatism;
peel extract (100 mg/kg) reduced edema by 30% in rats (Yasir et al., 2010). · Gastrointestinal: Pulp in Central America relieves diarrhea;
seed decoctions treat dysentery (Giovannini et al., 2016). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Leaves, skin, and pit contain persin, toxic to
dogs, cats, and livestock (LD50 ~60 mg/kg in rabbits); fruit flesh is safe for
humans (Oelrichs et al., 1995). Additional Uses · Culinary: Fruit used in guacamole, salads, smoothies; seeds roasted as
snacks in Mexico (Fern, 2024). · Industrial: Seed oil in cosmetics; wood for furniture (Burkill, 1997). · Nutritional: Provides 20% monounsaturated fats, 15% fiber, and vitamins
K, C, E per 100 g (Dreher & Davenport, 2013). References
External Links More Pictures
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