[2] It is native to Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, where its common names include aguacatillo, baconá and chote.

Alchornea latifolia is a little evergreen tree that can reach a height of approximately 20 metres (66 feet), occasionally having a trunk buttressed.

Its range extends from Southern Mexico to Panama, Cuba and the Windward Islands, and Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.

It likes moderate rainfall spread throughout most of the year and grows from sea level to an altitude of about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft).

The branches are used for firewood and the timber for joinery, furniture, posts, crates, boxes, toys, plywood and chipboard.