''Mangifera indica'', commonly known as
mango, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriat ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants t ...
in the family
Anacardiaceae.
It is a large
fruit tree, capable of growing to a height of . There are two distinct genetic populations in modern mangoesthe "Indian type" and the "Southeast Asian type".
Description
It is a large green tree, valued mainly for its fruits, both green and ripe.
[ Approximately 500 varieties have been reported in ]India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...
.[ It can grow up to tall][Flowers of India](_blank)
/ref> with a similar crown width and a trunk circumference of more than . The leaves are simple, shiny and dark green.
Red-yellow flowers appear at the end of winter, and also at the beginning of spring. Both male and female flowers are borne on same tree. Climatic conditions have a significant influence on the time of flowering.[ In South Asia, flowering starts in December in the south, in January in Bihar and Bengal, in February in eastern Uttar Pradesh, and in February–March in northern India. The duration of flowering is 20–25 days for the Dasheri variety, while panicle emergence occurs in early December and flower opening is completed by February. The Neelum variety produces two crops a year in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, but it flowers only once in North Indian conditions.
The mango is an irregular, egg-shaped fruit which is a fleshy drupe.][ Mangos are typically long and greenish yellow in color. The fruits can be round, oval, heart, or kidney shaped.][ Mango fruits are green when they are unripe. The interior flesh is bright orange and soft with a large, flat pit in the middle. Mangos are mature in April and May. Raw mangos can be used in the making of pickles and ]chutneys
A chutney is a spread in the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. Chutneys are made in a wide variety of forms, such as a tomato relish, a ground peanut garnish, yogurt or curd, cucumber, spicy coconut, spicy onion or mint dipping sauce.
...
. Ripe mangos are a popular fruit throughout the world. The skin and pulp account for 85% of the mango's weight, and the remaining 15% comes from the stone (seed).[''SEA Hand Book 2009'', Solvent Extractors' Association Of India](_blank)
/ref>
Chemistry
Mangiferin
Mangiferin is a glucosylxanthone (xanthonoid). This molecule is a glucoside of norathyriol.
Natural occurrences
Mangiferin was first isolated from the leaves and bark of '' Mangifera indica'' (the mango tree). It can also be extracted from ...
(a pharmacologically active hydroxylated xanthone
Xanthone is an organic compound with the molecular formula O 6H4sub>2CO. It is a white solid.
In 1939, xanthone was introduced as an insecticide and it currently finds uses as ovicide for codling moth eggs and as a larvicide. Xanthone is also ...
C-glycoside) is extracted from mango at high concentrations from the young leaves (172 g/kg), bark (107 g/kg), and from old leaves (94 g/kg). Allergenic urushiols are present in the fruit peel.[Urushiol CASRN: 53237-59-5](_blank)
TOXNET (Toxicology Data Network) NLM (NIH). Retrieved 22 January 2014.
Taxonomy
Mangoes are believed to have originated from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India. ''M. indica'' were domesticated separately in South Asia and Southeast Asia over centuries, resulting in two distinct genetic populations in modern mangoesthe "Indian type" and the "Southeast Asian type".
The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1753.
Distribution and habitat
Since their domestication in southeastern Asia, mangoes have been introduced to other warm regions of the world.
The tree grows best in well-drained sandy loam; it does not grow well in heavy wet soils. The optimal pH of the soil should be between 5.2 and 7.5.
Cultivation
Toxicity
Urushiols in the fruit peel can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitised individuals. This reaction is more likely to occur in people who have been exposed to other plants from the family Anacardiaceae, such as poison oak Poison oak refers to two plant species in the genus ''Toxicodendron,'' both of which can cause skin irritation:
*''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' or Western poison oak, found in western North America
*''Toxicodendron pubescens
''Toxicodendron pub ...
and poison ivy, which are widespread in the United States.
The wood is known to produce phenolic substances that can cause contact dermatitis.
Uses
The tree is more known for its fruit rather than for its timber. However, mango trees can be converted to lumber once their fruit-bearing lifespan has finished. The wood is susceptible to damage from fungi and insects. The wood is used for musical instruments such as ukuleles, plywood and low-cost furniture.
Culture
The mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
, and the 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 ...
, and is the national tree of Bangladesh.
Gallery
File:Mangifera indica 1z.jpg, Young mango tree
File:Mangifera indica 2z .jpg, Mature mango tree
File:Mango tree - Dadaga.jpg, Tree with unripe fruits
Image:Mangifera indica inflorescence.jpg, Mango flowers
Image:Small baby mangoes from West Bengal, India.jpg, Baby mangoes
File:Mango LangraBenarsi Asit fs8.jpg, Typical South Asian mangoes
File:Carabao mangoes (Philippines).jpg, Typical Southeast Asian mangoes
References
Further reading
* Litz, Richard E. (ed. 2009). ''The Mango: Botany, Production and Uses'' (2nd edition). CABI. .
External links
*
*
*
Crop of the Day: Mango, ''Mangifera indica''
has a list of helpful resources about this species.
{{Authority control
indica
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Flora of Assam (region)
Flora of Myanmar
National symbols of India
National symbols of Pakistan
National symbols of Bangladesh
Flora of Maharashtra
Fruit trees
Trees in Buddhism
Symbols of Gujarat
Symbols of Maharashtra