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Glite Dictionary
Persea americana

Persea americana

7.8
A tropical tree that grows large green fruits called avocados
  • proper noun
  • /pɜrˈsiːə əˈmɛrɪkən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Persea americana
  • The fruit of the Persea americana is prized for its creamy texture and nutritional value.

Examples

  • Researchers are studying the genetics of Persea americana to improve crop yields.

  • The Persea americana is native to Central America.

  • Cultivating Persea americana requires a warm climate with well-drained soil.

  • Did you know that Persea americana can grow up to 60 feet tall?

  • The fruit of the Persea americana is prized for its creamy texture and nutritional value.

  • Cultivating Persea americana requires a warm climate with well-drained soil.

  • Researchers are studying the genetics of Persea americana to improve crop yields.

Synonyms

avocado
vsPersea americana
5 1.5

A tropical tree grown for its large green fruit with a single seed

is the formal Latin name used by scientists for this tree
avocado tree
vsPersea americana
1 1.0

A tropical tree that grows large green fruit called avocado

is the scientific name used in formal botanical classification

Surface Forms

Persea americana main

Morphology

Persea + americana

The binomial name is compositional: 'Persea' identifies the genus (including avocado) and 'americana' is the Latin adjective meaning 'of America' (akin to English 'American'). A learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the American Persea (the avocado tree native to the Americas), so the meaning is transparently derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Persea americana is a scientific name from old plant-naming. Persea was an old name for certain trees and americana means 'from America', so the name refers to the avocado tree that comes from the warm parts of the Americas.