Alligator pear

Avocados are rewarding trees for a backyard orchard, particularly in warm climates. The trees are shady and their bountiful fruit is not only delicious but packed with good nutrition and easy to eat. Palatable to most people, they are often used as an early solid food for babies.

Avocados are native to Central America, including the West Indies, Guatemala and Mexico, so they feature in many local dishes such as the smooth, green dip called guacamole, made with lime juice, red onion, garlic, chilli and coriander.

One of the reasons avocado tastes smooth and creamy is that, unlike most