Family: Lauraceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Persea americana (avocado) is native to a region stretching from central Mexico through Costa Rica. It is a medium to large evergreen tree in the laurel family, valued for its dense canopy and its well-known fruit, the avocado. The fruit is rich in healthy fats and nutrients and is widely eaten fresh in salads, spreads (such as guacamole), and a variety of dishes. Avocado trees are also commonly planted in home gardens, small farms, and agroforestry systems in Hawaiʻi for food production and shade.

Risks & Threats
In Hawaiʻi, avocado is naturalized on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, where it can occasionally be found spreading in disturbed areas and secondary forests. While it is considered low risk overall compared to many invasive species, it can still establish outside of cultivation, especially where seeds are dispersed by animals or discarded in waste areas. At present, it does not show strong invasive behavior in Hawaiian ecosystems, but continued monitoring is useful to ensure it does not become more widespread or impact native plant communities over time.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized outside native range (Hawaiʻi, Florida, Mauritius, Seychelles, Jamaica)
  
• Tolerates broad climate range (elevation 0–2200 m; USDA zones 9b–11)
  
• Tolerant of wide soil conditions (clay, sand, loam; acidic to alkaline)
  
• Shade-tolerant at early life stage
  
• Self-compatible (self-pollination contributes to fruit set)
  
• Intentional dispersal by people (widely cultivated for fruit)
  
• Dispersed by animals (pigs, cattle, squirrels, rats, mice)
  
• Tolerates mutilation (regrowth from stumps; requires herbicide to prevent)
  
• Toxic to animals (leaves/bark cause mastitis; fatal to goats at high doses)

Low Risk Traits:

• Not reported as an environmental, agricultural, or disturbance weed
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not parasitic or allelopathic
  
• No evidence of causing allergies or toxicity to humans (unripe fruit toxic in animal studies, but no human cases)
  
• Unlikely to create fire hazard
  
• No vegetative fragmentation (propagated by seed)
  
• Seeds large (2 cm), not adapted for wind or water dispersal
  
• Not bird-dispersed (flesh not attractive to birds)
  
• Low seed production per unit area (one large seed per fruit)
  
• Seeds lose viability quickly (no long-term persistent seed bank)
  
• Well-controlled by herbicides