Chapter 1
The prehistoric survivor
Chapter 2
The tree's secret gender-bending dance
Chapter 3
The great marketing rebrand
Chapter 4
Beyond the guacamole bowl
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret life of the avocado
Ch 2 · The tree's secret gender-bending dance
futura Type B flowers open as female the first afternoon, close overnight, and reopen as male the next morning
Fun Fact
Gender dance: Every single avocado flower opens twice—first as a female, then closes, and reopens the next day as a male.
Glossary
dichogamy (noun)
The maturation of male and female reproductive organs in a plant at different times. Avocado flowers change sex daily through this process, a cycle regulated by a gene identified in 2026.
The maturation of male and female reproductive organs in a plant at different times. Avocado flowers change sex daily through this process, a cycle regulated by a gene identified in 2026.
Quiz
Which popular, dark-skinned avocado variety belongs to the Type A flowering category?
Quiz
On its second day of opening, what gender phase does a Type B avocado flower enter in the morning?
Quiz
What is the scientific term for the avocado tree's unique gender-switching mechanism?
Quiz
What minimum average temperature is required for avocado flowers to switch gender phases with clocklike precision?
Quiz
How many times does an individual avocado flower open during its brief 36-hour life cycle?
Quiz
On its first day of opening, what gender phase does a Type A avocado flower enter in the morning?