Avocado tree named ‘Lali’
The ‘Lali’ avocado is of medium size, average 14-18 ounces and being about 3.5 inches in diameter and 5 inches in length. The fruit matures and can be picked in late February and March. The fruit is an ovate berry having a seed that is tight in the cavity and is 2 to 2.5 inches long and dark brown in color.
Latin name: Persea americana.
Varietal denomination: ‘Lali’.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe tree arose as a root stock sprout from an avocado tree in a cultivated 85 acre avocado grove located at in Miami-Dade County, Fla., at 355014 Southwest 209th Avenue, Miami, Fla. 33034. The tree is estimated to be approximately 15 years old and has been in production for at least 10 years. Its origin is unknown. Its fruit can be stored at temperatures above 50° Fahrenheit.
Parentage is unknown as the tree was discovered, and is of a wild nature.
An analysis of the microsatellite pattern from this avocado against 15 known varieties (‘Lula’ (not patented), ‘Simmonds’ (not patented), ‘Monroe’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 261), ‘Choquette’ (not patented), ‘Semil-34’ (not patented), ‘Semil-43’ (not patented), ‘Melendez’ (not patented), ‘Hall’ (not patented), ‘Booth’ (not patented), ‘Hardee’ (not patented), ‘April’ (not patented), ‘Carla’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,594), ‘Pollock’ (not patented), ‘Bernecker’ (not patented) and ‘Donnie’ (not patented)) revealed no matches.
Asexual propagation was attained in 2010 in Miami-Dade County, Fla. when the plant was approximately 12 years old. Asexual reproduction was achieved by grafting cuttings of the tree onto new avocado seedlings. The fruit is ripened and is sufficient for harvesting in late February to late March. Lali presents resistance to cercospora purpurea pathogens.
Measurements are from the year, 2015. Botanical descriptions are described using “Exotica Pictorial Cyclopedia of Exotic Plants,” A.B. Graf, page 1834, “Botanical Terms Illustrated.” Color is described using the HEX value designation obtained from the web site, cloford.
The tree presents a vigorous weeping upright growth habit with a spread of 18′ and 25′ high (limited by common pruning practices for avocado groves in South Florida), as shown in
The leaves are obviate and are light green (HEX value #90EE90) when young, becoming dark green (HEX value #8FBC8F) on their upper surface and a slightly lighter dark seagreen (HEX value #006400) on the underside when mature, and are 3.5″ wide by 9″ in length as shown in
Buds are yellow-green in color (HEX value #9ACD32), have an average length of 7-11 mm, average width of 3.75-4 mm, and a Lancelot to oblong-Lancelot shape with a rounded base and acute tip. Pedicels are green-yellow in color (HEX value #A2CD5A) and average 6 mm in length and 1.3 mm in width with an average diameter of 1-2 mm.
The flowers of this plant have 3 lobes that are approximately 6.5-6.7 mm in length and 2 mm in width. Margins are smooth and uniform, and the texture is smooth. Densely silk tomentose is found on both surfaces. The shape is apex acute with a flattened base. Inflorescence type is determinate. The flowers are produced in racemes near the ends of the branches, and are furnished with both stamens and pistils, all of them being inherently capable of developing into fruits. Peduncles range from 42 mm to 153 mm and average about 87 mm and are yellow green in color (HEX value #8B7500). Typical observed flower depth is 7.5-8 mm. The flowers are small and pale to yellow green in color (HEX value #8B7500). At first glance they appear to have six lanceolate or ovate petals, but on closer examination these are seen to be perianth-lobes. The usual differentiation into two whorls or series, calyx and corolla, does not occur in this avocado. The perianth-lobes are of nearly equal length with the inner three occasionally being longer than the outer and being more or less pubescent. The nine stamens are arranged in three series. The anthers are 4-celled with the cells opening by small valves hinged at the upper end. At the base of each stamen of the inner series are two large orange-colored glands which secrete nectar, presumably for the attraction of insects. Inside the stamens are three staminodes or vestigial stamens. The ovary is 1-celled, and contains a single ovule. The style is slender, usually hairy, with a simple stigma.
The flowers are not fragrant. The tree blooms in February and the flowers are of the B type which may require an “A” type pollenizer for maximum production.
As shown in
The plant produces fruit at a medium-high volume, averaging about 250-300 lbs per year. The tree exhibits an excellent winter hardiness of 9B. It is not tolerant to flooding, and drought stress has not been observed due to constant irrigation practices. Avocado shelf life is several weeks, and the fruit can be stored above 50° F. The fruit naturally ripens once placed at room temperature or about 5-8 days after harvesting.
This plant differs from other existing cultivars primarily in the lateness of maturity of the fruit, and in the combination of weight, shape, color, and skin texture of the fruit. The fruit is used as a fresh commodity for retail markets.
Claims
1. A new and distinct variety of avocado tree substantially as described and illustrated and characterized as to novelty by its overall good eating qualities, its medium size and its being ready to be picked in late February and March.
PP23885 | September 10, 2013 | Pflum |
Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 31, 2014
Date of Patent: Jul 19, 2016
Patent Publication Number: 20150223379
Inventor: Alcides Acosta (Coral Gables, FL)
Primary Examiner: Susan McCormick Ewoldt
Application Number: 13/999,231