Description:
These small trees are mostly natives of South and Central America, but are also found in Mexico, deep southwestern United States the Canary Islands and in southeast Asia. P. Borbonia (the Bull Bay or Red Bay) is a native of the United States from Delaware to Florida and is sometimes planted for ornament. P. palustris is found from North Carolina to Florida and Texas. The species of Persea grown for ornament will grow easily in any type of soil. They have large, leathery leaves, but if grown indoors, their leaves are much thinner and unless they are severely pruned back they'll grow on top of a tall, thin trunk. Persea americana, commonly known as the Avocado, can be grown outdoors only in the warmest parts of the U.S., such as southern Florida, southern California, and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The extent to which they are sensitive to the cold varies between the different kinds. Trees belonging to the West Indian variety are the most sensitive; they are hurt if the temperature drops to 27 degrees and killed if it drops to 24 degrees. The Guatemalan varieties will die if the temperature drops to 21 degrees and certain Mexican varieties can stand temperatures as low as 18 degrees.