The 'Manilita' mango is a named
mango cultivar
The following is a list of some prominent mango cultivars. Worldwide, hundreds of mango cultivars are known, with over 1000 varieties in India.
Most commercial cultivars belong to '' Mangifera indica'', while a few commercial varieties grown in S ...
that originated in
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
.
History
Manilita came from the Pacific coast of southern Mexico. It is descended from the
Philippine mango
The Carabao mango, also known as the Philippine mango or Manila mango, is a variety of particularly sweet mango from the Philippines. It is one of the most important varieties of mango cultivated in the Philippines. The variety is reputed inter ...
variety brought from
Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
,
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
(hence the name Manilita, which means "little Manila
ango). This was possible through the
Galleon Trade that existed between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico (1565–1815).
Manilita was introduced to the United States, where it has gained acceptance as a dooryard cultivar for home growing due to its small growth habit and fruit color. It was listed as a curator's choice mango at the
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's 2010 International Mango Festival in
Miami, Florida
Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...
, and has been promoted by Fairchild for its positive characteristics.
A Manilita tree is planted in the collection of the
USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of com ...
's mango germplasm repository in Miami, Florida.
Description
The fruit average less than a pound in weight at maturity and are elongated in shape similar to southeast Asian-descended cultivars. The skins turns a pastel red color, and the flesh is fiberless and sweet. In Florida, the fruit ripen early.
Trees are small and can be maintained at a height of 7 feet, lending to Manilita's labeling as a "condo mango".
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manilita (Mango)
Mango cultivars