Mangifera indica 'Excellent' (Excellent Mango)

Mangifera indica (Mango) is a large evergreen tree native to South Asia and among the oldest cultivated fruit trees, grown in India for over 4,000 years. In tropical climates it can reach 60-80 feet with a broad crown of glossy leaves. Small yellowish flowers appear in spring, followed by fleshy drupes known worldwide as mangoes.

Fruit shape varies from oval to kidney-shaped, with skin that may remain green or ripen to yellow, orange, or red. The flesh is juicy and aromatic, sometimes fiberless and sweet, sometimes more resinous depending on type. Mangoes are eaten fresh, dried, blended, or cooked, making them one of the most versatile tropical fruits. Some people experience irritation on the lips from the peel, so fruits are usually eaten peeled.

The tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil in warm climates, hardy only to USDA Zones 9-11. With hundreds of named cultivars, Mangifera indica remains one of the world s most widely grown and culturally important fruit trees.

See Mango varieties.

Mangifera indica 'Excellent' (Excellent Mango) is a selected mango cultivar valued for both its heavy yields and the outstanding flavor of its fruit. The tree develops a dense, rounded crown and typically reaches 15-20 feet in managed plantings, though it can grow larger in open ground. Its medium to large fruits have smooth yellow skin with a slight red blush when ripe and firm golden flesh that is sweet, aromatic, and nearly fiberless. Gardeners appreciate this cultivar for combining reliable productivity with the ornamental presence of a well-shaped canopy.

'Excellent' thrives in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and moderate watering. It flowers in spring with clusters of small yellowish blooms, followed by fruit maturing in summer. Best grown in warm tropical to subtropical climates, it is hardy only to USDA Zone 10-11 and requires frost protection. In cooler regions it can be maintained in a large container and moved indoors or under cover during cold weather, making it as much a decorative specimen as a practical fruit tree.