Mandevilla sanderi, Dipladenia sanderi 'Red Riding Hood'

Woody, twinning, evergreen vine with dark, glossy, oval leaves. Clusters of flared, trumpet-shaped flowers. A handsome screen, container or hanging basket plant. Blooms year round. Low maintenance. Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.

Mandevilla sanderi, Dipladenia sanderi 'Red Riding Hood'

Woody, twinning, evergreen vine with dark, glossy, oval leaves. Clusters of flared, trumpet-shaped flowers. A handsome screen, container or hanging basket plant. Blooms year round. Low maintenance. Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.

Mandragora autumnalis

Mandragora autumnalis is a perennial herb with thick tuberous roots. There is a legend that at night Mandragora's flowers shine hence the common name "Devil's Candle". Even on a cloudy day you can see that the centers of flowers stand out, "shine", it is noticable when you take a picture with a flashlight - flowers have special reflector properties. Mandrake roots contain the alkaloid hyoscymine that is used for motion sickness and as a preoperative anesthetic. In early times Mandrake had magical properties ascribed to it because the roots sometimes have humanlike form. If the plants become too dry they will exhibit summer dormancy. Mandragora autumnalis is propagated by division of the tubers in late autumn or by seed. Seed needs a period of cold moist stratification before sowing. All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.

Mangifera caesia

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.

Mangifera foetida, Mangifera odorata, Mangifera oblongifolia

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.