Monroe (avocado)
Encyclopedia
The Monroe avocado is a commercial named cultivar
of avocado
that originated in south Florida. It became popular for its production habits and relative cold-hardiness and is widely grown in Florida.
about 1932 on the property of J.J.L. Phillips. The tree first fruited in 1935 and 'Monroe' was patented in the name of Joseph R. Byrum (manager of Phillips' grove in Homestead) on August 24th, 1937, receiving plant patent number 261. It was likely a hybrid of West Indian and Guatemalan types and was reportedly a cross between the Waldin and Eagle Rock cultivars.
One of the characteristics 'Monroe' inherited from its Guatemalan-type parent was some degree of cold hardiness. In addition, the trees produced a large, elliptical-shaped fruit with good eating qualities and were good producers. These traits helped establish 'Monroe' as a commercial cultivar in Florida, where it was also recommended for home growing. Today 'Monroe' is grown on a large scale in Florida. Examples of 'Monroe are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida
, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead,FL and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park
, also in Homestead.
Monroe trees produce B-type flowers.
Cultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
of avocado
Avocado
The avocado is a tree native to Central Mexico, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel...
that originated in south Florida. It became popular for its production habits and relative cold-hardiness and is widely grown in Florida.
History
The original tree was grown from a seed that grew under a 'Waldin' avocado tree in Homestead, FloridaHomestead, Florida
Homestead is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States nestled between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. Homestead is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area....
about 1932 on the property of J.J.L. Phillips. The tree first fruited in 1935 and 'Monroe' was patented in the name of Joseph R. Byrum (manager of Phillips' grove in Homestead) on August 24th, 1937, receiving plant patent number 261. It was likely a hybrid of West Indian and Guatemalan types and was reportedly a cross between the Waldin and Eagle Rock cultivars.
One of the characteristics 'Monroe' inherited from its Guatemalan-type parent was some degree of cold hardiness. In addition, the trees produced a large, elliptical-shaped fruit with good eating qualities and were good producers. These traits helped establish 'Monroe' as a commercial cultivar in Florida, where it was also recommended for home growing. Today 'Monroe' is grown on a large scale in Florida. Examples of 'Monroe are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead,FL and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park
Fruit and Spice Park
The Fruit and Spice Park is a botanical garden in metropolitan Miami at 24801 SW 187 Avenue, located in the rural agricultural community of the Redland, Florida, United States.-Exhibits:...
, also in Homestead.
Description
The fruit averages about 2 pounds in weight at maturity, which generally occurs from December to January in Florida. The skin is green, glossy and thick.Monroe trees produce B-type flowers.