Lula (avocado)
Encyclopedia
The 'Lula' avocado is an avocado
cultivar
that originated in south Florida. 'Lula' became a widely propagated avocado after its introduction due to favorable characteristics, including its eating qualities.
, and was named after Cellon's wife, Lula Cellon. 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.
'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.
Avocado
The avocado is a tree native to Central Mexico, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel...
cultivar
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...
that originated in south Florida. '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 planted in 1915 on the property of nurseryman George B. Cellon in Miami, FloridaMiami, 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...
, and was named after Cellon's wife, Lula Cellon. 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.
'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.