Figure 3. Diagrammatic representation of the female (top) and male (bottom) phase flowers in avocado. Note that in the female phase petals and the male portion of the flower (stamens) are reflexed down and laying flat. In the male phase the stamens are upright. (Taken from McGregor, S. E. 1976. Insect Pollination of Cultivated Crop Plants. Agric. Handbook. No. 496).