Mango tree

''Mangifera indica'', commonly known as mango, is an evergreen species of flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae. It is a large fruit tree, capable of growing to a height and width of . There are two distinct genetic populations in modern mangoesthe "Indian type" and the "Southeast Asian type".

Description

''Mangifera indica'' is a large green tree, valued mainly for its fruits, both green and ripe. Approximately 500-1000 varieties have been identified, named, or reported, primarily in India. It can grow up to tallFlowers of India
/ref> with a similar crown width and a trunk circumference of more than . The leaves are simple, shiny and dark green. The trees take 2-4 years from planting time to first harvest, and can have a productive life of over 50 years.

Yellow-white fragrant flowers appear at the end of winter through the beginning of spring, varying with location. Both male and female flowers are borne on the 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 Bengal, in February in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, 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. 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
/ref>

Chemistry

Mangiferin (a pharmacologically active hydroxylated xanthone 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
TOXNET (Toxicology Data Network) NLM (NIH). Retrieved 22 January 2014.

Taxonomy

Mangoes are believed to have originated from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, eastern 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. Generally, mango trees can withstand a minimum temperature of .

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 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.

The bark is used to produce a yellow dye.

Culture

The mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, 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:Mangos - single and halved.jpg, Indian type mango, cut
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

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Crop of the Day: Mango, ''Mangifera indica''
has a list of helpful resources about this species.

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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