Persea americana

Avocado (Persea americana; also avocado; alligator pear; aguacate) is a Lauraceae fruit plant grown for its berry.

Persea americana fruit, flower, or plant habit. Wikimedia Commons file page.
Avocado (Persea americana )
Scientific name	Persea americana
Genus	Persea
Family	Lauraceae
Order	Laurales
Fruit type	Berry
Growth form	Evergreen tree
Climate and hardiness	Tropical to subtropical tree with race-dependent cold tolerance
Mature height	5–20 m; maintained smaller by pruning
Mature width	5–15 m
Soil	Deep, aerated, freely drained soil; very sensitive to root-zone saturation
Water	Regular moisture with excellent drainage; drought and waterlogging both reduce performance
Sun	Full sun; young trees appreciate shelter from wind and heat extremes
Germination	2–8 weeks from fresh seed; seedlings do not reproduce named varieties
Years to fruit	2–4 years grafted; 5–10 years from seed
Pollination	Flowers are type A or B; compatible flowering types nearby can improve set
Harvest	Season varies by cultivar and climate; fruit can mature over a long window

Identification and description

Avocado is a highly variable evergreen fruit tree divided horticulturally into Mexican, Guatemalan, and West Indian ecological races and their hybrids. The fruit is a single-seeded berry with oily flesh.

The accepted genus, family, and order are Persea, Lauraceae, and Laurales. Common names may cover related taxa; check the scientific name before transferring cultivation advice.

Growing

Avocado encompasses highland, lowland, and intermediate ecological races. Match the rootstock and cultivar to climate; all require oxygenated soil, and saturated ground quickly causes root decline.

Natural habitats range from cool highland forests to warm lowland tropics, so rootstock and race matter as much as the species name. The key site requirement is oxygenated soil. Plant on mounds or raised ground where drainage is marginal, and protect shallow roots from heat and cultivation.

Soil

Deep, aerated, freely drained soil; very sensitive to root-zone saturation.

Sun and humidity

Full sun; young trees appreciate shelter from wind and heat extremes. Native habitat and airflow matter as much as light intensity; avoid enclosing humid foliage without ventilation.

Seasonal changes

Avocado habitats range from seasonally dry uplands to humid lowlands. Flowering follows local temperature and moisture patterns, while harvest maturity can extend for months because many cultivars hold fruit on the tree. Reduce irrigation only enough to avoid saturation; drought during fruit set can cause drop.

Propagation

Commercial trees are grafted or budded onto selected rootstocks. Fresh seeds germinate readily and make useful rootstocks, but seedling fruit quality and maturity are unpredictable.

Field view or fruit detail of Persea americana. Wikimedia Commons file page.

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

Season varies by cultivar and climate; fruit can mature over a long window. Flowering and ripening are strongly affected by latitude, cultivar, rootstock, rainfall, and temperature; local records are more useful than a single universal calendar.

Fruit and uses

Fresh fruit is eaten sliced, mashed, or in sauces. It is also used in chilled soups, spreads, dressings, and oil production. The flesh is nutrient-dense and highly perishable once cut.

Commentary

Growers are invited to share observations about Avocado on the talk page, especially climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering season, and fruit quality.

Photos

The images above show documented fruit, flower, or plant-habit views. See the individual Commons file pages in the image credits for authorship and license details.

Sources

• Useful Tropical Plants: Persea americana

Image credits

• Persea americana fruit.JPG — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
• Persea americana fruits 02.JPG — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.