Lula (avocado)

Last updated
Avocado 'Lula'
Genus Persea
Species P. americana
Cultivar 'Lula'
OriginFlorida

The 'Lula' avocado (Persea americana 'Lula') is an avocado cultivar that originated in South Florida.

Contents

'Lula' became a widely propagated avocado after its introduction due to favorable characteristics, including its eating qualities.

History

The original tree reportedly grew from a 'Taft' avocado seed – named after Charles Parkman Taft (1856–1934) – planted in 1915 on the property of nurseryman George B. Cellon in Miami, Florida, and was named after Cellon's wife, Lula Cellon. [1] DNA analysis has indicated 'Lula' was likely the result of a cross between Guatemalan and Mexican type avocados. The tree first fruited in 1919 and was recognized for its excellent eating qualities. Propagation of 'Lula' began in 1921. [2]

'Lula' became recognized for its excellent eating qualities, steady production, and cold hardiness. It did have a drawback, however, in that the fruit was susceptible to scab. 'Lula' was widely propagated both for the commercial trade and home growing. It continues to be sold on a large scale despite the availability of newer cultivars, and it is often used as a rootstock for grafted avocado trees.

'Lula' trees are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida. [3] [4]

Description

'Lula' fruit has a glossy green skin and is pear-shaped. The flesh has high oil content, around 12–16%. The fruit matures from October to February in Florida. [5] 'Lula' produces A-type flowers.

Gallery: Taft avocado

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avocado</span> Species of flowering plant in the laurel family Lauraceae

The avocado, alligator pear or avocado pear is a medium-sized, evergreen tree in the laurel family (Lauraceae). It is native to the Americas and was first domesticated in Mesoamerica more than 5,000 years ago. It was prized for its large and unusually oily fruit. The tree likely originated in the highlands bridging south-central Mexico and Guatemala. Avocado trees have a native growth range from Mexico to Costa Rica. Its fruit, sometimes also referred to as an alligator pear or avocado pear, is botanically a large berry containing a single large seed. Sequencing of its genome showed that the evolution of avocados was shaped by polyploidy events and that commercial varieties have an hybrid origin. Avocado trees are partly self-pollinating, and are often propagated through grafting to maintain consistent fruit output. Avocados are presently cultivated in the tropical and Mediterranean climates of many countries. Mexico is the world's leading producer of avocados as of 2020, supplying nearly 30% of the global harvest in that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haden (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Haden' mango is a named mango cultivar that became one of the most widely cultivated in the world after it was introduced in the early 20th century through south Florida. It would ultimately become the parent of many other mango cultivars later developed in Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Glenn' mango is a mango cultivar that originated in South Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Edward' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dot (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Dot' mango is a mango cultivar that originated in South Florida. The cultivar has limited to no commercial plantings but is sold as nursery stock for home use in Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sensation (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Sensation' mango is a late-season mango cultivar that originated in south Florida and was grown on a commercial scale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cushman (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Cushman' mango is a mango cultivar that originated in south Florida. The variety had limited to no commercial application but has been sold as a dooryard tree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palmer (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Palmer' mango is a large, commercially grown late-season mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairchild (mango)</span> Type of fruit

The 'Fairchild' mango is a commercially grown mango cultivar originating in Panama. The 'Fairchild Emerald' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in southwest Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrie (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Carrie' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duncan (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Duncan' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida and was later patented.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Ford' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julie (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Julie' mango, also called 'Saint Julian', is a named mango cultivar that was made popular in the Caribbean. It is considered to be one of the best mangoes in the Caribbean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lippens (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Lippens' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.

The 'Spirit of '76' mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valencia Pride</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Valencia Pride' mango is a named late-season mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Van Dyke (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The 'Van Dyke' mango is a named commercial mango cultivar that originated in south Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saigon (mango)</span> Mango cultivar

The Saigon mango is a seedling race of mango cultivars originally introduced to the United States via seed from Southeast Asia.

The Monroe avocado is a commercial named cultivar of avocado that originated in south Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choquette (avocado)</span> Avocado cultivar

The Choquette avocado is a named commercial cultivar of avocado that originated in South Florida.

References

  1. Dorn, Harold W. (1956). "Mango Growing Around Early Miami" (PDF). Tequesta. Historical Association of Southern Florida: 47.
  2. "Variety Database Search Results for ..." avocadosource.com. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  3. "MIA 7828 : Persea americana Mill. LAURACEAE (avocado)". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  4. "MIA 36136 : Persea americana Mill. LAURACEAE (avocado)". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  5. Crane, Jonthan H.; Balerdi, Carlos F.; Maguire, Ian (December 2010). "Table 2. Some characteristics of Florida avocado varieties recommended for the home landscape". Circular 1034: Avocado Growing in the Florida Home Landscape. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.