The avocado (Persea americana) is a tree national to Central America and Mexico and commercially valuable and are cultured in humid and Mediterranean climates throughout the world. Persea name has been came from ancient Greek name of an Egyptian tree with sweet fruits originated probably from Perseus.
The avocado originated in Central America and southern Mexico. Based on archaeological evidence found in Tehuacán, Puebla (Mexico), it is believed that it appeared approximately 12 000 years ago. It has been determined that the centre of origin of this fruit is the central part of Mexico, passing through Guatemala to Central America.
Avocado trees are moderately self-pollinating and frequently are propagated from end to end grafting to maintain a predictable quality and quantity of the fruit.
The fruit is called ‘Ahuacatl’ by the Aztecs and from there derived the term ‘avocado’, ‘aguacate’ (in Spanish), ‘avocat’ (in French) and ‘abacate’ (in Portuguese).
Avocado is also known as the alligator pear, due to its shape and the leather-like appearance of its thick skin. Avocado is an energetic fruit with high nutritional value and is considered a major tropical fruit, since it is rich in protein and contains fat-soluble vitamins lacking in other fruits, including Vitamins A and B, and median levels of vitamins D and E. The percentage of carbohydrates is not high compared with that of many other fruits, because the avocado contains almost no sugar.
Avocado is cultivated in all tropical and subtropical regions in the world for its delicious and highly nutritious fruit. The leaves are 6-30 cm in length and 3.5-19 cm in wide and narrow to broadly elliptical in shape. They are constantly pubescent and reddish when young. When they mature, becoming smooth, leathery and dark green. Its fruit is consumed as food.
Avocado: Also known as the alligator pear
