Mangifera indica

Mangifera indica is a large green tree, valued mainly for its fruits, both green and ripe. with a similar crown width and a trunk circumference of more than . The leaves are simple, shiny and dark green. The trees take 2–4 years from planting time to first harvest, and can have a productive life of over 50 years. Yellow-white fragrant flowers appear at the end of winter through the beginning of spring, varying with location. Both male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. The mango is an irregular, egg-shaped fruit which is a fleshy drupe. Ripe mangos are a popular fruit throughout the world. The skin and pulp account for 85% of the mango's weight, and the remaining 15% comes from the stone (seed). ==Chemistry==

Mangiferin (a pharmacologically active hydroxylated xanthone C-glycoside) is extracted from mango at high concentrations from the young leaves (172 g/kg), bark (107 g/kg), and from old leaves (94 g/kg). Allergenic urushiols are present in the fruit peel. ==Taxonomy==

Mangoes are believed to have originated from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, eastern and northeastern India. M. indica were domesticated separately in India and Southeast Asia over centuries, resulting in two distinct genetic populations in modern mangoesthe "Indian type" and the "Southeast Asian type". The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1753. ==Distribution and habitat==

Since their domestication in southeastern Asia, mangoes have been introduced to other warm regions of the world. Its broader native range extends from Pakistan to Malesia in subtropical and tropical climates with its origin point being around Western Indo-Burma. The tree grows best in well-drained sandy loam; it does not grow well in heavy wet soils. The optimal pH of the soil should be between 5.2 and 7.5. ==Cultivation==

Urushiols in the fruit peel can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitised individuals. ==Uses==

The tree is better known for its fruit than for its timber. However, mango trees can be converted to lumber once their fruit-bearing lifespan has finished. The wood is susceptible to damage from fungi and insects. The wood is used for musical instruments such as ukuleles, The bark is used to produce a yellow dye. ==Culture==

The mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, and is the national tree of Bangladesh. The Indian mango is exported from India to the United States, where it has high demand. ==Gallery==

File:Mangifera indica 1z.jpg|Young mango tree File:Mangifera indica 2z .jpg|Mature mango tree File:Mango tree - Dadaga.jpg|Tree with unripe fruits Image:Mangifera indica inflorescence.jpg|Mango flowers Image:Small baby mangoes from West Bengal, India.jpg|Baby mangoes File:Mangos - single and halved.jpg|Indian type mango fruit, cut File:Mango LangraBenarsi Asit fs8.jpg|Typical Indian mangoes File:Carabao mangoes (Philippines).jpg|Typical Southeast Asian mangoes ==References==