Avocado (Persea Americana)

Although avocado trees are rather from tropical and subtropical regions of Bolivia, they are highly adaptable and can grow within the altitude range of Cochabamba (up to 2600 m a.s.l.). Indeed, a great variety of avocados is now cultivated in Cochabamba thanks to natural and intentional crossings. Avocados are leafy, evergreen trees that can reach 20 m of height and remove up to 50 kg of CO2 per year. They provide a good source of income to local farmers, who also appreciate them for their medicinal use (seeds are used against headaches). Finally, they are often cultivated close to other fruit trees such as cherimoya and pacay.