Mangifera indica 'Okrung' (Okrung 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.

Okrung Mango, also known as Ok Rong or Okrong, is an excellent Thai cultivar introduced to Florida in 1973. The fruit is small to medium, long, and slightly curved, with smooth green to green-yellow skin that may develop a light yellow hue when ripe. The flesh is golden, soft, and sweet, with a distinctive Indo-Chinese flavor and slightly fibrous texture. Okrung is one of the most popular mango varieties in Thailand, traditionally eaten both green and ripe. When green, the fruit is crisp and mildly sweet; when ripe, it becomes intensely sweet - tests in Florida showed it to have the highest sugar content of any mango grown there. In Thailand, it is often served with sticky rice as a classic dessert pairing.

This variety grows well in warm tropical and subtropical climates and performs best in USDA Zones 10-11. The tree is moderately vigorous with an upright habit and dense canopy. It bears fruit in clusters that often drop naturally when fully ripe. Okrung Mango is a dependable and productive variety, valued for its flavor versatility and cultural importance. A yellow form, Okrung Thong ('Thong' meaning 'gold'), is sometimes recognized as a subvariety distinguished by its brighter golden skin.