Persea americana, commonly known as the avocado pear, is a tree species of the family Lauraceae grown in Sri Lanka under cultivation. It is valued for its fruit, which is the only edible part recorded for this species.
What does Persea americana look like?
Persea americana is a tree that grows to about 20 m tall. Its leaves are 12 to 25 cm long. The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish-yellow in colour, and measure 5 to 10 mm wide. The fruit is 7 to 20 cm long and weighs between 100 and 1000 g, containing a single large central seed measuring 5 to 6.4 cm.
Where does Persea americana grow in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka, Persea americana is recorded as occurring only under cultivation. It is not known to grow wild in the island. As a member of the laurel family, Lauraceae, it belongs to a group of trees and shrubs typically found across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
What is its conservation status?
Persea americana is not a native or wild species in Sri Lanka and is grown exclusively as a cultivated plant. No conservation status applies to a species maintained only under cultivation on the island.
What is it called in Sinhala?
The local Sinhala name recorded for Persea americana is Ali geta pera. In English it is known as the avocado pear.
Recorded facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Persea americana |
| Family | Lauraceae |
| English name | Avocado pear |
| Sinhala / local name | Ali geta pera |
| Status in Sri Lanka | Only under cultivation |
| Edible parts | Fruit |
| Life form | Tree, up to 20 m tall |
| Leaves | 12–25 cm long |
| Flowers | Greenish-yellow, 5–10 mm wide, inconspicuous |
| Fruit | 7–20 cm long, 100–1000 g, single large central seed |
| Seed | 5–6.4 cm |
