Bwa-yo - Société Audubon Haiti

REGION
Savanette
Pignon
Comillon
Saut d'Eau
Thomonde
St. Michel de l'Attalaye
Mont Organise
Mombin Crochu
Thomassique
St. Raphael
Mirebalais
Marmelade
Lascahobas
Hinche
Dondon
Cerca La Source
Carice
Maissade
Belladere
Zaboka 107
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
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Figure 13.3 Major harvest periods of P americana in the Central Plateau, after
Agricorp (1984).
The brown, reddish or pinkish heartwood contrasts sharply with the cream-colored
sapwood. Planks sawn from avocado are medium to coarse in texture with straight to
irregular grain. Specific gravity ranges from 0.39-0.54. The wood is easy to work and
finishes smoothly. Avocado wood is not durable in the ground and is susceptible to
decay fungi (Chudnoff, 1984).
The tree flowers from January through May with fruits maturing from June to
November. However, microclimate differences, such as elevation and rainfall distribution,
greatly influence the fruiting schedules for anyone region (Fig. 13.3). Higher elevations
delay fruit maturity because of lower temperatures. Introduced cultivars with
genetic parentage from the Guatemalan variety flower and· fruit later than the West
Indian variety does and are of local economic importance.
Utilization: The tree is cultivated in Haiti for its fruit, which is an important source of
vitamins (A, B complex and E), protein (0.8--4.4 g /100 g fresh wt) and digestible fat
(5-25 g /100 g fresh wt.). The major portion of Haiti's harvest is consumed and sold
locally, while an estimated 12% is transported to urban markets (Wiltbank, 1982) (fig.
13.4). Surplus fruit is an important food source for pigs and other livestock. Avocado
oil is extracted from the pulp and used in cosmetic preparations and salad oil. The oil
is approximately 77% oleic acid, which demands a price 10 times higher than that of
peanut oil (Rehms and Espig, 1991). The wood of the tree has a wide range of uses.
Because of its relative abundance, like mango, the tree is an important source of lumber
in certain areas of Haiti (Fig 13.5). The wood is used for furniture, house construction,
and turnery, though it is brittle and susceptible to attack by termites. Avocado
is visited by bees, important for pollination and honey production. All parts ofthe tree
are utilized in traditional medicines. Leafand bark teas contain tannin and are taken as
an anti-diarrhetic, for high blood pressure, colds, and jaundice. Poultices are made from
the leaves for pain, headaches, rheumatism, and sprains (Eldridge, 1975).