Shrubs or small trees , to 10 m. Branches appressed-pubescent. Leaf blade elliptic to lance-elliptic, 5-8 × 1.5-2.5 cm; surfaces abaxially obscured by dense (silky), rusty brown, appressed hairs when young, appearing sooty with age, adaxially green, lustrous. Inflorescences: peduncle mostly shorter than subtending petiole, pubescent. Drupe 10-12 cm wide, glaucous.

Flowering spring-early summer. Sand pine-scrub; 0-100 m; Fla.

Persea humilis produces fewer flowers and fruits per peduncle than the preceding two species.