Genus of about 150 species of brittle-branched, evergreen trees and shrubs from well-drained soils to swamps of S.E. Asia, Micronesia, and tropical and subtropical North and South America. An Avocado Tree (Persea americana) can be grown quite easily from the large stone within the fruit - after a few years you will have a large-leaved plant about 3 ft tall - grown from scratch with your own hands. Push the blunt end of the stone into a pot containing a multy-purpose compost - leave the pointed end exposed. Keep warm (65 F) until the leaves appear - keep cool in winter. Repot annually - pinch out tips to encourage bushiness.