Flowers of the avocado growing at Istán Spain
The avocado (Persea americana), aguacate or palta (Spanish), butter pear or alligator pear, is a tree native to the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and Central America, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel. The name "avocado" also refers to the fruit (technically a large berry that contains a large seed) of the tree which may be egg-shaped or spherical. Avocados are a commercially valuable fruit and are cultivated in tropical climates throughout the world (and some temperate ones, such as California and Spain where this picture was taken), producing a green-skinned, pear-shaped fruit that ripens after harvesting. Trees are partially self-pollinating and often are propagated through grafting to maintain a predictable quality and quantity of the fruit. Avocados are perennial. An average avocado tree produces about 120 avocados annually. Commercial orchards produce an average of 7 tonnes per hectare each year, with some orchards achieving 20 tonnes per hectare. Biennial bearing can be a problem, with heavy crops in one year being followed by poor yields the next. The avocado tree does not tolerate freezing temperatures, and can be grown only in subtropical or tropical climates.
Size: 5120px × 3402px
Location: Istán, Andalucia, Spain
Photo credit: © Andy J Hollingbery / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: aguacate, americana, avocado, bloom, blossom, flowers, fruit, leaves, palta, persea, tree
