Mango

Mangifera indica L.

mang-GIFF-er-ah IN-da-cah

Anacardiaceae

Explanation of name:   Mango is a local name for the fruit.  Indica refers to India.

Natural range:   India, Tropical Asia

Recognition:   Tree with long, alternate, tapered leaves; enormous numbers of small mixed male and female pinkish flowers in large panicles; fruit a mango.  There are numerous cultivars grown in Florida (see first two Internet sources listed below for comparative tables).   Most fall into two major categories:

Indian types tend toward colorful fruits and seeds with single embryos.  Most Florida “grocery store” cultivars are these.

Indochinese types tend toward green or yellowish fruits and seeds with multiple embryos.

‘Turpentine’ and ‘Number 11’ do not fall into either group.

Landscape uses: Fruiting tree.  Mangoes are among the most prevalent tropical fruiting trees, and are abundant in South Florida.  Practical in the southernmost counties, mostly South of Lake Okeechobee, especially along the coasts.  Propagation is by seed (in polyembryonic types, selecting the non-sexual seedlings), air layering, and mostly grafting.  ‘Turpentine’ and ‘Number 11’ are often used as rootstocks for alkaline soils.

Internet sources:  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg216 (includes cultivar table)

http://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/articles/fruit/varieties_mango.htm (includes cultivar table with photos)

http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/flmango.html