Avocado Flower Types

Source: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Avocado Trees Pollination

Avocado trees self-pollinate. However, there is a possibility that planting trees of flower types A and B can lead to increase pollination and fruit yield.

The avocado’s flowering behavior is believed to promote cross-pollination since the male and female phases of an individual flower occur at different times. It is believed that the interplanting of complementary flower types can boost fruit set and therefore yield by making pollen available.

There are two flowering types, referred to as "A" and "B" flower types. "A" varieties open as female on the morning of the first day. The flower closes in late morning or early afternoon. The flower will remain closed until the afternoon of the second day when it opens as male. "B" varieties open as female on the afternoon of the first day, close in late afternoon and re-open in the male phase the following morning.

Below the flower type for some of the most common avocado varieties.
Source: IFAS Extension, University of Florida

Variety Race Season of maturity Fruit weight (oz) Flower Type Cold tolerance
Donnie West Indian May 21-June 31 12-20 A Low
Dupuis West Indian June 15-July 31 12-24 A Low
Hardee West Indian June 25-Sept. 1 12-24 B Low
Pollock West Indian June 25-Sept. 15 18-40 B Low
Simmonds West Indian June 25-Sept. 15 16-34 A Low
Nadir Guatemalan, West Indian July 1-Aug. 15 10-22 A Low
Russell West Indian July 1-Aug. 31 16-24 A Low
Brogdon Complex Hybrid July 15-Sept. 15 8-12 B Low
Miguel Guatemalan, West Indian July 22-Sept. 15 18-26 B Low
Nesbitt Guatemalan, West Indian July 22-Aug. 30 14-26 A Low
Tower-2 Guatemalan, West Indian Aug. 1-Sept. 15 12-20 B Low
Beta Guatemalan, West Indian Aug. 5-Sept. 15 16-24 B Moderate
Loretta Guatemalan, West Indian Aug. 25-Sept. 30 20-36 B Moderate
Waldin West Indian Sept. 1-Nov. 1 14-28 A Moderate
Tonnage Guatemalan Sept. 15-Oct. 15 14-24 B High
Bootd 8 Guatemalan, West Indian Oct. 1-Dec. 15 9-28 B Moderate
Lula Guatemalan, West Indian Oct. 1-Feb. 15 14-24 A High
Marcus Guatemalan, West Indian Oct. 15-Nov. 30 18-48 B High
Bootd 7 Guatemalan, West Indian Oct. 15-Dec. 15 10-20 B Moderate
Choquette Guatemalan, West Indian Oct. 30-Jan. 15 18-40 A Moderately High
Hall Guatemalan, West Indian Nov. 15-Feb. 1 12-18 A High
Monroe Guatemalan, West Indian Dec. 1-Feb. 15 24-40 B Moderate
Kampong Guatemalan Dec. 1-March 31 14-24 B High
Meya Guatemalan Dec. 7-Feb. 28 10-16 A High
Reed Guatemalan Dec. 14-March 7 8-18 A Moderate
Brookslate Guatemalan, West Indian Jan. 14-March 7 10-22 A High