Genus Persea Mill.


Summary
Genus number:
9138
Last updated:
1 August 2025
Family:
Lauraceae
Accession count:

943 (169  active, 154  available) in National Plant Germplasm System
Comments:
conserved (nom. cons.) under Madrid ICN Art. 14 (see App. III)


Synonyms
Synonym(s) Probable synonym(s) Possible synonym(s)

Subdivisions of Persea Mill.
Subgenus
Eriodaphne
Persea
Images (4 total. Click on image for more.)
Embryo drawing

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References:
  1. Campos Rojas, E. et al. 2007. Persea (avocados) phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters: hypothesis of species relationships. Genet. Resources Crop Evol. 54:249-258. Note: advocates separation of subg. Persea and Eriodaphne into independent genera
  2. Li, L. et al. 2011. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Persea group (Lauraceae) and its biogeographic implications on the evolution of tropical and subtropical Amphi-Pacific disjunctions. Amer. J. Bot. 98:1520-1536. Note: this study recovered a polyphyletic genus as presently circumscribed; it suggested that monophyly can be supported after the segregation of some Neotropical species; both subgenera were resolved as monophyletic
  3. Rohwer, J. G. et al. 2009. Is Persea (Lauraceae) monophyletic? Evidence from nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences. Taxon 58:1153-1167. Note: appears not to be monophyletic, as species of sect. Eriodaphne may need to be segregated as the genus Mutisiopersica Kosterm.
  4. van der Werff, H. 2002. A synopsis of Persea (Lauraceae) in Central America. Novon 12:575-586.
Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2026. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: https://npgstest.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomygenus?id=9138. Accessed 15 April 2026.