Considered by most authorities to be indigenous to Mexico, Central America, and South America to Peru and Brazil. One of the most highly valued of tropical fruits. In Florida and California, its cultivation is conducted commercially.
Avocado is an adaptation in use in the United States and other English speaking countries.
Alligator pear is a misleading corruption that should be dropped. The diverse climatic conditions under which the avocado is found enable varieties to be obtained which are strictly tropical. They are suitable for cultivation in those parts of California and Florida in which slight frosts are the usual winter occurrence. The avocado is a rapid grower.