Aguacatillo
Persea caerulea
Native Region
Central America and northern South America
Max Height
15-30 meters (50-100 feet)
Family
Lauraceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
1200-3000m
Regions
- Cartago
- San José
- Alajuela
- Heredia
- Puntarenas
Season
Flowering
Jan-Mar
Fruiting
Mar-Jun
Aguacatillo (Wild Avocado)
The Aguacatillo (Persea caerulea) is perhaps the most ecologically important tree in Costa Rica's cloud forests. Its small, avocado-like fruits are the primary food source for the Resplendent Quetzal, one of the world's most beautiful and culturally significant birds. The tree's fruiting season directly influences quetzal breeding success and migration patterns.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Persea caerulea
- Family
- Lauraceae (Laurel)
- Max Height
- 15-30 m (50-100 ft)
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 80 cm
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Key Role
- Quetzal food source
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
850
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist community science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy and Classification
- Persea: Ancient Greek name for an Egyptian tree - caerulea: Latin for "blue" (referring to fruit color) - Aguacatillo: Spanish diminutive of "aguacate" (avocado) - Related to the cultivated avocado (Persea americana)
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Wild Avocado, Mountain Avocado | From fruit similarity |
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Aguacatillo, Yas | Little avocado / Indigenous |
| Spanish (Guatemala) | Aguacate de Mico | Monkey's avocado |
| German | Blauer Avocadobaum | Blue avocado tree |
| Local Names | Sigua, Curré | Indigenous origins |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Aguacatillo is a medium to large evergreen tree with a dense, rounded crown. Its thick, leathery leaves have a characteristic bluish-green color, and the bark is grayish-brown with shallow fissures. The tree often develops a straight trunk with spreading branches that create important habitat structure in cloud forests.
Distinctive Features
Leaves
- Type: Simple, alternate
- Size: 8-15 cm long, 3-6 cm wide
- Shape: Elliptic to oblong
- Color: Glossy dark green above, bluish below
- Texture: Thick, leathery
- Fragrance: Aromatic when crushed
Bark
- Color: Grayish-brown
- Texture: Finely fissured
- Inner Bark: Reddish, aromatic
- Feature: Contains aromatic oils
Flowers
- Size: 4-6 mm diameter
- Color: Yellowish-green
- Arrangement: Small panicles
- Timing: January to March
- Pollination: Insects
Fruits
- Type: Drupe (mini avocado)
- Size: 1-2.5 cm diameter
- Color: Dark blue to purple when ripe
- Flesh: Thin, oily
- Season: March to June
Ecological Importance
The Quetzal Connection
The relationship between Aguacatillo trees and Resplendent Quetzals is one of the most important plant-animal interactions in Central American cloud forests. Quetzals are one of the few birds capable of swallowing the fruits whole and are crucial seed dispersers.
Why Quetzals Need This Tree
- Primary food source during breeding season
- High fat content (40%+) provides energy for nesting
- Fruit size perfectly matches quetzal gape
- Fruiting timing aligns with quetzal breeding
Seed Dispersal Services
- Quetzals regurgitate seeds intact
- Seeds dispersed far from parent tree
- High germination rates after gut passage
- Creates forest connectivity
Cloud Forest Ecosystem Role
The Aguacatillo is a keystone species in Costa Rican cloud forests:
- Food web anchor: Supports dozens of bird species
- Watershed protection: Deep roots stabilize steep slopes
- Carbon storage: Long-lived trees accumulate carbon
- Microhabitat creation: Epiphytes cover branches
Distribution in Costa Rica
The Aguacatillo is found throughout Costa Rica's highland cloud forests, primarily between 1,200 and 3,000 meters elevation. Key locations include Monteverde, the Central Volcanic Range, and the Talamanca Mountains.
Key Observation Sites
| Location | Province | Elevation | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monteverde Cloud Forest | Puntarenas | 1,400-1,700m | Easy trails |
| Los Quetzales National Park | San José | 2,000-3,000m | Moderate |
| Chirripó National Park | San José | 2,500-3,400m | Challenging |
| Poás Volcano | Alajuela | 2,200-2,700m | Easy access |
| Savegre Valley | San José | 1,800-2,500m | Best quetzal viewing |
Conservation Status
Current Status
While the species itself is not threatened, habitat loss and climate change pose significant risks to cloud forest ecosystems where Aguacatillo thrives.
Conservation Concerns
- Climate change: Cloud forests shifting upward in elevation
- Deforestation: Loss of forest connectivity
- Agricultural expansion: Pressure on forest edges
- Fragmentation: Isolated populations
Protection Efforts
Costa Rica protects significant Aguacatillo populations through:
- National parks (Los Quetzales, Chirripó, Braulio Carrillo)
- Private reserves (Monteverde, Savegre)
- Biological corridors connecting highlands
- Reforestation programs
Cultural Significance
Traditional Uses
Medicinal Applications
- Leaf infusions for digestive issues
- Bark tea for fever reduction
- Fruit oil for skin conditions
- Traditional cold remedies
Ecotourism Value
- Primary draw for quetzal tourism
- Generates significant local income
- Supports conservation awareness
- Educational programs focus on tree
Growing Information
Cultivation Requirements
| Factor | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Climate | Cool, humid highlands | Cloud forest conditions |
| Temperature | 10-20°C (50-68°F) | Frost tolerant when established |
| Rainfall | 2000-4000mm annually | High humidity required |
| Soil | Rich, well-drained | Organic matter important |
| Light | Partial shade to full sun | Understory to emergent |
| Propagation | Fresh seeds | Short viability period |
Reforestation Potential
The Aguacatillo is increasingly used in cloud forest restoration projects:
- Essential for quetzal habitat recovery
- Relatively fast growth for highland species
- Provides early food source for wildlife
- Helps restore forest structure
Similar Species
| Species | Scientific Name | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Quizarrá | Ocotea spp. | Different fruit shape, various laurel species |
| Canelillo | Nectandra spp. | Smaller fruits, different leaf shape |
| Avocado | Persea americana | Much larger fruits, cultivated species |
| Aguacate Montés | Persea schiedeana | Larger fruits, lower elevation |
Interesting Facts
Where to See Aguacatillo
Where to Find Aguacatillo in Costa Rica
Best Quetzal-Viewing Locations (with Aguacatillo):
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve — Classic quetzal habitat
- San Gerardo de Dota — Premier quetzal-watching destination
- Los Quetzales National Park — Excellent Aguacatillo groves
- Cerro de la Muerte — High-elevation roadside trees
- Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park — Protected forests
When to Visit:
- March-May: Fruiting season and quetzal breeding
- Early morning: Best quetzal activity at fruiting trees
- Dry season: Better visibility in cloud forest
Local guides know which Aguacatillo trees are currently fruiting and where quetzals are actively feeding. Hiring a guide dramatically increases your chances of seeing quetzals visiting these trees—a truly magical experience.
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Global distribution data
Botanical nomenclature
Kew Gardens taxonomic information
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Wheelwright, N.T. (1983). Fruits and the ecology of Resplendent Quetzals. The Auk
Zamora, N. et al. (2004). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. III. INBio, Santo Domingo de Heredia
Kohlmann, B. et al. (2010). Cloud forest flora and fauna. Costa Rica: Natural History
Nadkarni, N.M. & Wheelwright, N.T. (2000). Monteverde: Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest. Oxford University Press
The Aguacatillo (Persea caerulea) stands as a silent pillar of cloud forest ecology—a tree whose existence is inextricably linked to the Resplendent Quetzal and the health of Costa Rica's highland ecosystems. Every fruit it produces sustains the birds that captivate visitors from around the world, and every seed those birds disperse plants the next generation of forest. To protect the quetzal, we must protect the Aguacatillo.
