At first glance, the fruit from the avocado tree (Persea americana) has much more in common with peaches and other drupe fruits than it does with blueberries or raspberries. But, in fact, the avocado, which is perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 to 12, is itself a berry.
Don't be Druped
Berries are defined as having fleshy exocarps, or rinds, as well as fleshy mesocarps, or pulp. The avocado meets both of these criteria. Like other berries, the avocado also has a soft endocarp, or innermost layer -- the part that surrounds the seed, often called the avocado pit. All three factors make the avocado a berry. In contrast, drupes have tough endocarps surrounding an inner stone. Therefore, while avocados resemble drupe fruits to the naked eye, botanically speaking, they are berries.
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