Persea americana

Persea americana

Biggest Plant Dictionary  | Persea americana | Famili: Lauraceae, Genus: Persea, Spesies: Persea americana P. Mill. The avocado tree has shiny evergreen, elliptic leaves 4-8 in (10-20 cm) long. It is a much-branched, medium-sized tree, to 60 ft (18 m) or more in height. The little flowers are greenish and not at all showy.
They are interesting in that each flower opens twice. First the female part (pistil) ripens and opens; then the flower closes and some 24 hours later it opens again with the ripe stamens releasing their pollen. This practically insures that the flower will not be self pollinated. The avocado tree is cultivated for its delicious and highly nutritious fruit. Avocado fruits contain up to 30% oil and have the highest protein and oil content of any fruit. Fruits may be pear shaped to round, and smaller than a golfball to almost as big as a football, depending on the variety. 

Growing Environment: Avocado trees do best in full sun, but can be grown in shade--just don't expect ideal fruit production. They are large trees when put in the ground, but can be grown in a container. Cool temperatures (40-55F) are required for blooms to set, so greenhouse or indoor grown avocado's should be provided with some temperature range during winter. The roots are fast growing and if allowed, will take over nearby plants. Avocado's grow best in light, loose, even partially sandy soil. Do not expose the roots to flooding conditions. Watering should be eased up on through the cool winter season. Overwatering can cause root rot. Fertilize trees one or more years in age, four times a year.

Location.
Persea americana is native to Central America, but is now cultivated throughout the tropical and subtropical world. Archaeologists have found that avocados have been cultivated in Central America for more than 7000 years. Major exporters of avocado today are Mexico, the United States, Israel, Kenya and South Africa. The largest avocados are grown in Hawaii.

Persea americana