<P> The tree grows to 20 m (66 ft), with alternately arranged leaves 12--25 cm (4.7--9.8 in) long . The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish - yellow, 5--10 mm (0.2--0.4 in) wide . The pear - shaped fruit is 7--20 cm (2.8--7.9 in) long, weighs between 100 and 1,000 g (3.5 and 35.3 oz), and has a large central seed, 5--6.4 cm (2.0--2.5 in) long . </P> <P> Botanically, the avocado fruit is defined as a single - seeded berry, due to the imperceptible endocarp covering the seed, rather than a drupe . </P> <P> The subtropical species needs a climate without frost and with little wind . High winds reduce the humidity, dehydrate the flowers, and affect pollination . When even a mild frost occurs, premature fruit drop may occur, although the' Hass' cultivar can tolerate temperatures down to − 1 ° C. The trees also need well - aerated soils, ideally more than 1 m deep . Yield is reduced when the irrigation water is highly saline . These soil and climate conditions are available in southern and eastern Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Crete, the Levant, South Africa, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, parts of central and northern Chile, Vietnam, Indonesia, parts of southern India, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, California, Arizona, Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Ecuador, and Rwanda . Each region has different cultivars . </P> <P> Commercial orchards produce an average of seven 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 . Several cold - hardy varieties are planted in the region of Gainesville, Florida, which survive temperatures as low as − 6.5 ° C (20 ° F) with only minor leaf damage . </P>

Where are avocados grown in the united states