Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded, Oval |
| Maximum Height | 9 m to 12 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 8 m to 11 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Central America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree with an oval to round crown up to 12 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green, smooth leaves are elliptic (oval-shaped) with entire leaf margin (smooth edges). They grow up to 10-20 cm long. |
| Flowers | Greenish flowers are arranged at the stem tips in a branched cluster known as a panicle. |
| Fruit | The oval to pear-shaped fruit (7.5 - 15 cm long) has a yellow-green to purple, leathery skin which may be smooth or tuberculate (bumpy). The firm, creamy flesh is cream-coloured to pale yellow near the centre and light green towards the outside. It contains a single, round seed which is smooth and light brown. |
| Cultivation | This species grows best when mulched with a thick layer of leaves and fertilized regularly. Plants need to be carefully pruned to form a strong structure, since the wood is brittle and prone to breakage. Trees grown indoors can become very tall, but are unlikely to bear fruit. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruit is sliced and added to salads and sandwiches. It is used to make a popular Mexican dip known as guacamole. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Shade Providing Tree / Palm |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Grafting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Bumpy / Tuberculate |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30233 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4542 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |