By Belize Live News Staff: A team of researchers from Wild Earth Allies (WEA), working alongside Silk Grass Farms, has discovered a previously undocumented wild avocado species in Belize’s Maya Mountains, sparking interest from the scientific and agricultural communities.
According to botanist Dr. Steven Brewer, who led the field research, the tree stands out for several unusual features. “This tree grows tall and has leaves with a strong anise scent,” he noted. “The underside of the leaves is waxy and bluish—what we call glaucous.”
But what truly sets this species apart is its fruit. While the avocado is about the size of a domesticated one, the flesh is thin and firm, rather than soft and creamy. This trait makes it an outlier among known varieties and could hold important clues about the evolution of avocados in Central America.
Dr. Brewer described the discovery as “an enigma,” and said the team will continue studying the species and its relationship to other avocados. The find may have implications for conservation, crop diversity, and the ecological history of the region.
Silk Grass Farms is inviting the public to follow the progress of the research through its newsletter, where updates from the Southern Belize-based project will be shared.
For more information or to sign up, visit: Silk Grass Farms
