Avocado

The avocado (Persea americana), also named ‘alligator pear’ is a tree originating in South Central Mexico. Its nick name points to its fruit which is botanically speaking a large berry with only one seed. The berry is green-skinned and fleshy and its shape resembles a pear or (large) egg. The avocado tree belongs to the flowering plant family of Lauraceae.

Commercially speaking, avocados are very valuable and the fruit is produced in tropical and Mediterranean regions. Avocados ripen only after they are harvested.