Scientific Name :Persea Americana Vernacular Name :Avocatier, Igiti cy’Avoka. Family name :Lauraceae Geographic Distribution :Everywhere in Rwanda., Pantthropical.
Botanical Description A tree reaching up to 20 m in height. It is an erect with stout trunk to bushy and spreading. The trunk is covered with a fleshy bark. The leaves are round or pointed, held alternately on the branches and reddish in color when young. Many small greenish yellow flowers in compact bunches are held at the ends of the young branches. The fruit are of various shspes.
Medicinal Use The core of the fruit is used in traditional medicines. The bark is used against diarrhea, while fruits are used to lower blood cholesterol level, promote hair growth, sooth skin and treat skin conditions, and as aphrodisiac. Grounded seeds are used in the treatment of various skin conditions.
Other Use Avocat, the smooth, buttery and well flavored flesh of the fruit is eaten . The oil produced from the fruit is used in cosmetics.
