Perennial Edible Fruits C2P14

Mangifera indica L.
Common names: mango (English, Spanish, various other languages); mangga (Malaya); ma-muang (Thailand).

Origin: Southeast Asia.

Distribution: Pantropic; hot subtropical areas.

Cultural requirements: Hot tropical lowlands, seasonally dry. Tolerant of a variety of soil conditions.

Description: Tree to 25 m. Propagation by seed, grafting.

Fruit production in 6-10 years from seed, 3-5 years from grafts. Can flower at any time of year, depending on variety, latitude, and climate. Fruit matures in 120-180 days. Most varieties self-fertile but benefit from cross-pollination. Fruit 8-25 cm long, 200-1,800 g, solitary or in small clusters; external color green, yellow, orange, or red; internal color yellow to orange.

Utilization: Pulp of green or ripe fruit eaten fresh, cooked, dried, canned, preserved, frozen. Flavor sweet, aromatic; universal appeal. Good source of vitamins A and C. One of the most important fruits of the world, with excellent potential for expanded cultivation. Hundreds of varieties exist. Variety collections and research programs in Cen-tral and South America, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaya, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A. (Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico).

References: Molesworth Allen 1967, Popenoe 1939, Ruehle and Ledin 1956, Singh 1960.

Mangifera odorata Griff.
Common names: kuini (English, Malaya); ma-mut (Thailand).

Origin: Southeast Asia.

Distribution: Southeast Asia.

Cultural requirements: Hot tropical lowlands with monsoon climate. Tolerant of a variety of soil conditions.

Description: Tree to 25 m. Propagation by seed (can be grafted easily, but not a common practice). Fruit production in 6-9 years from seed. Flower-ing season variable, depending on latitude and climate. Fruit matures in 150 days. Fruit 10-15 cm long, 300-450 g, usually solitary; external color yellowish green, internal orange.

Utilization: Pulp eaten fresh, cooked in preserves, chutneys. Flavor sweet, highly aromatic, un-pleasant to some. Source of vitamins A and C. Important in native area but little potential for expanded use.

References: Burkill 1935, Molesworth Allen 1967.

Pleiogynium solandri Engler
Common names:

Pesudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich) Engler
Common names:

Sclerocarya birrea Hochst.
Common names:

Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics