Coyo, Guatemala avocado
Persea schiedeana

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 15-20 m tall. The young branches have dense brown hairs. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are oval and heart shaped at the base. They are 13-30 cm long by 7-15 cm wide. They have white hairs underneath. The flowers are downy. They are in groups. The flowers are light green to yellow. The fruit are like an avocado. They can be 200-400 g. The best fruit can be quite large and have a brownish pulp free from fibres. The skin is leathery and flexible. It has a large seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the tropical highlands with cool climates. In Central America it grows between 1,400-1,900 m altitude. Good soil drainage is essential.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico (country/location of origin), Nicaragua, North America, Panama, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten in salads.

It is a cultivated fruit tree.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Trees are often grown from seed. The seed need to be planted while fresh. They can also be grafted.

Fruit weigh 150-900 g.

Its other names

Local names

Aguacate asca, Aguacate sucte, Aguacatillo, Cayo, Cojou, Chucte, Chinin, Chinine, Chinini, Chuti, Aguacaton, Coyo avocado, Cupte', Duga, Ihpaw, Koyow, Pagua Shucte, Yas, Ziw, Ziwtez

Synonyms

Persea gratissima var. schiedeana (Nees) Meisn.; Persea pittieri Mez;