Mangifera - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Mangifera caesia (Binjai) is a big tree which can get taller than 20 feet and is native to Kalimantan, Borneo. Small varieties of this tree may not reach more than 10-20 feet and both full sun and semi-shade is suitable for growing these trees. Binjai tree requires regular watering and blooms with pink flowers.

Binjai trees are known for the production of edible fruits. Depending on the size of the tree and the size of the fruits requested, the number of fruits produced can vary. The fruits of Binjai tree are sour in the wild form but if it is cultivated in Bali or Borneo, the fruits can become sweet and fibreless. The white juice of immature Binjai fruit is poisonous, so it is very irritant while touching the skin or when ingested directly.

Apart from being edible, these fruits have several health benefits and are used for medicinal purposes. It is rich in Vitamin C and helps treat abdominal problems, cholesterol, skin inflammation, and urinary tract infections. The fruits can also be eaten raw, juiced, cooked or made into different varieties of jams and jelly.

Growing Binjai trees in a pot is recommended if you live in a cold region. To get the best growth and fruit production, pay attention to drainage, water, and light requirements. This plant needs plenty of water and full sun to grow and mature. However, during the hot summer months, you should provide some shade to protect the plant from overheating.

The flesh of this fruit is orange in color and the texture stringy with a unique sweet fragrance. If we compare the Kasturi with the Mango (Mangifera indica), the Kasturi tastes less sweet but has a stronger taste and has a softer aroma.

A Medium-sized tree. This tree has a very unique feature. It emits a charaecteristic fragrant smell. Even the flowers of this tree are strongly scented with the same fragrance. That is why this species has been named M. odorata. This fruit has never been found in the wild. Botanists are of the opinion that Kuwini (M. odorata) has originated as a hybrid between Mangifera indica and Mangifera foetida.

This fruit is commonly cultivated in Borneo, Sumatra and Java. It is also found in Thailand, Vietnam and Guam Islands. The Kuwini is a popular fruit, having local economic significance in areas where Mangifera indica cannot be grown satisfactorily because of excessive humidity. Kuwini can produce two crops a years in areas where two dry seasons prevail.

Fruit are much appreciated as table fruit. They must be peeled thick because of the presence of an acrid juice in the skin, which can also be reduced by steeping in diluted lime-water before eating.

The fruits are also used for making chutney and for pickles with salt. In Java a kind of flour is made of the seed kernels and used in the preparation of delicacies such as dodol (based on glutinous rice) and jenang pelok (a thick pappy preparation from Curcuma rhizomes).

Propagated by seed, only rarely by grafting.

The sap is an irritant which may inflame the lips and mouth.

Mangifera foetida fruit is very similar in appearance to the Mango. Ripe Horse Mango fruit is usually eaten fresh. Young fruits contain irritant juice and must be soaked.

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 'Sunset' is a mango cultivar grown in warm subtropical climates and valued for its dependable production and dessert-quality fruit.

Mangifera indica 'Sunset' forms a moderately vigorous tree with a balanced canopy that responds well to pruning and size control. The fruit ripens in the mid to late season and develops smooth, fiberless flesh with a rich, sweet flavor profile and good aromatic depth, making it well suited for fresh eating. The cultivar performs best with regular moisture during flowering and fruit development, followed by drier conditions as fruit matures. In USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10-11, it grows reliably outdoors, while in marginal areas it benefits from frost protection and careful site selection. Its combination of consistent fruiting, manageable growth habit, and refined flavor makes 'Sunset' a solid choice for home growers and collectors.

Mangifera indica 'Ah Ping' is a mango cultivar that originated in Hawaii from a seedling planted by Mrs. Chun Ah Ping on the island of Molokai.

It is grown in warm tropical and subtropical regions and valued for its traditional dessert quality and steady productivity.

What makes Mangifera indica 'Ah Ping' distinctive?

Mangifera indica 'Ah Ping' develops a moderately vigorous tree with a balanced canopy that responds well to pruning and orchard-style management. The fruit ripens in the mid-season and features smooth, fiberless flesh with a rich sweetness and classic mango flavor, often described as clean and well-rounded rather than highly complex. The cultivar performs best with regular moisture during flowering and fruit set, followed by drier conditions as fruit matures to enhance sweetness. In USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10-11, it grows reliably outdoors, making 'Ah Ping' a solid choice for growers seeking a dependable mango with traditional flavor appeal.

Mangifera indica 'Baileys Marvel' (Baileys Marvel Mango) is a classic midseason Florida variety appreciated for its excellent flavor, attractive fruit, and reliable production. The medium to large fruit is oval and slightly flattened, with smooth yellow skin heavily blushed in shades of red and rose-pink over a golden background. Some fruit may retain green patches near the stem when fully mature. The deep orange flesh is juicy, nearly fiberless, and richly sweet with a hint of tropical spice. The flavor is smooth and balanced, similar to Haden but less fibrous and often preferred for fresh eating. The tree is moderately vigorous with a broad canopy and begins to bear early, producing consistent crops year after year.

Baileys Marvel performs best in tropical and subtropical climates and is valued for its good disease resistance and dependable yields. It ripens from June to August, making it one of the most rewarding summer mangoes for home gardens. Trees thrive in full sun and well-drained soil with regular watering and feeding during the growing season. They perform best in USDA Zones 10-11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.

Mangifera indica 'Bombay' (Bombay Mango) is a classic Indian variety introduced to the Caribbean and Florida many decades ago. It is famous for its rich, spicy-sweet flavor and smooth, fiberless flesh with a deep orange color. The medium to large fruits are slightly flattened and develop a striking yellow skin with a red blush when ripe. The tree has an open canopy and moderate vigor, making it a good choice for home gardens and collectors seeking old-world mango character.

Adapted to tropical and subtropical climates, 'Bombay' performs best in warm coastal regions and shows good resistance to common mango diseases. It is known to produce reliably once mature, typically fruiting from June to August in Florida conditions. Trees thrive in USDA Zones 10-11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.

Mangifera indica 'Cac' is a popular Vietnamese mango cultivar known for its excellent eating quality and dependable productivity. Fruits are medium to large, oval to slightly oblong, with smooth green skin that turns yellow when ripe. The fiberless lemon-yellow flesh is juicy and aromatic, offering a flavor described as uncomplicated, blending citrus and peach tones with a gentle floral bouquet.

In cultivation, Cac thrives in warm, humid climates with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. The tree has an open and somewhat leggy growth habit that requires careful tipping and shaping of branches to maintain structure and productivity. It benefits from regular watering and balanced fertilization during the growing season to ensure consistent yields. The tree adapts well to tropical and subtropical regions and is considered disease resistant compared to many other mangoes. This cultivar is not frost tolerant and should be grown in USDA Zones 10-11, with protection required if temperatures fall below 40-45 F.

Mangifera indica 'Carabao' (Carabao Mango, Philippine Mango) is a premier Philippine variety also known as Manila Mango, Honey Mango, or Champagne Mango. The fruit is medium to large, kidney-shaped, and hangs in clusters on the stem. When ripe, the smooth skin turns bright yellow, revealing rich golden flesh that is soft, fiberless, and intensely sweet with a tropical honey-like aroma. This variety is celebrated worldwide for its outstanding dessert quality and exceptional eating experience. The tree is vigorous and productive, forming a broad canopy and bearing heavily under warm, humid conditions.

'Carabao' adapts very well to South Florida and similar subtropical climates, showing good resistance to local pests and humidity. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, with regular watering and light pruning to maintain shape and airflow. This is a relatively cold-hardy variety for a tropical mango, tolerating brief drops in temperature with minimal damage. Trees thrive in USDA Zones 10-11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.