Mango trees come in many different varieties. Some are small, while others grow large fruits. There are two main types of mango trees; mango trees grown for fruit production and mango trees used for ornamental purposes.
Mango trees are considered to be one of the most popular fruit trees, recognized for the sweet and aromatic fruit they bear. They are used for a variety of purposes from juicing and drying to being enjoyed fresh.
The unique tropical fruit stands to be widely consumed, but we seem to know little about the diversity of the magnificent plant species. To open your mind to the depth of variety in the mango world, we’ll explore some of the most amazing mango trees.
1. Honey Mango Tree
The honey mango tree is native to several tropical regions of South America. The honey mango Tree is a type of flowering plant in the family of Sapotaceae. The name “honey mango” refers to its fruit, which resembles a small, round, yellowish-orange, sweet, edible berry.
The fruits are usually red, sometimes green, and contain one seed. Unlike many other mango varieties, the seed of the honey mango is edible and nutritious, containing about 50% protein and 25% carbohydrates.
The honey mango tree grows up to 30 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1 meter. The tree is recognized for producing white, fragrant clusters of flowers.
2. Madame Francis Mango Tree
The Madame Francis mango tree is a recognized popular dessert mango tree native to Haiti. It was named after Madame Francis, who brought it from Cuba to her home country. The tree has been cultivated since the late 19th century.
The tree produces medium-sized, oval-shaped, bright golden yellow fruits that have a distinctive fragrance. The fruits are very sweet, but they also have a tart flavor. They can be eaten raw or cooked. The tree is known to produce more than 100 kilograms of fruit per year.
3. Haden Mango Tree
The Haden mango tree is native to Australia. It was introduced into Florida in the early 20th century as an ornamental tree. The Haden mango tree is a dwarf variety of the common mango tree. It is smaller than most other mango trees, growing only to 3 meters tall.
The tree bears pale pink flowers, followed by light green, semi-spherical fruits. These fruits are similar in size to those of the common mango tree, although they tend to be slightly larger.
4. Keitt Mango Tree
This mango tree is native to Mexico. It was first discovered in 1887 when a Mexican botanist found the Keitt mango tree on his way back from collecting plants in Chiapas.
The Keitt mango tree is a hybrid between the Indian Alphonso mango and the Mexican Manzano de Paz mango.
The Keitt mango tree is a fast-growing tree that reaches heights of 10–15 meters within 5 years. Its leaves are dark green, glossy, and leathery.
The tree produces large yellow-orange fruits. The fruits are rich in vitamin C and are often used to make juices.
5. Carabao Mango Tree
The carabao mango is also commonly known as the Manila mango as it is native to the Philippines and characterized as a considerably sweet mango. The fruit of this tree is considered to be sweeter compared to other types of mango.
The tree is widely planted throughout the Philippines due to its ability to grow well in hot climates. The carabao mango tree is a large deciduous tree that grows up to 15 meters high. The tree is a crossbreed of the Asian mango and the American Alphonso mango.
6. Tommy Atkins Mango Tree
The Tommy Atkins mango tree is a unique variety of mango that is native to Florida and can commonly be found growing across South America. This mango tree has a distinctively different appearance compared to most other mangoes.
The Tommy Atkins mango tree is a dwarf tree that grows up to 2 meters tall. The tree is noted for bearing almost spherical and unusually large fruits.
The Tommy Atkins mango has a sweet taste with a slight hint of citrus. The tree is not tolerant of cold weather, so it should be grown indoors during the winter months.
7. Kent Mango Tree
The Kent mango tree is widely grown across South America and is commonly used for juicing. The fruit contains a lot of water and is therefore good for making juice. The Kent mango tree is a small evergreen tree that grows up to 1 meter tall.
The tree’s leaves are dark green and shiny. The fruits of the Kent mango tree are round in shape and weigh around 60 grams each. They have a distinctive aroma and flavor that is reminiscent of guava.
8. Graham Mango Tree
The Graham mango tree is classified as a seedling from the Julie mango which originated from Trinidad. The Graham mango tree is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 6 meters high. The tree has bright red fruits that are oval in shape.
The fruit is sweet and juicy but is best eaten fresh rather than dried out. The Graham mango tree does not tolerate frost or freezing temperatures, so it should be kept inside during the winter months. This tree is also considered to be highly disease resistant and hence makes for an ideal ornamental tree.
9. Alphonso Mango Tree
The Alphonso mango tree is named after a mango cultivator that originally came from India. The tree bears large fruits that are round in shape. The fruits have a sweet taste and a smooth texture.
The Alphonso mango tree is a slow-growing tree that requires at least 3 years before it starts producing fruit. The tree is very popular among commercial growers because it is easy to cultivate and produce large quantities of delicious mangoes.
10. Sein Ta Lone Mango Tree
The Sein Ta Lone mango tree was originally discovered by a farmer who noticed a single fruit on his mango trees. The fruit is shaped like a heart and weighs between 50 and 100 grams. The fruit has rich orange flesh and a sweet flavor.
It is commonly used for juicing and drying. The Sein Ta Lone mango is an extremely rare variety of mango that only occurs naturally in Myanmar.
11. Edward Mango Tree
The Edward mango is classified as a cultivated variety that originated from South Florida. The tree produces large fruits that are round and yellow.
The Edward mango tree is a fast-growing tree that reaches heights of 10 meters. The tree is known for its resistance to pests and diseases. The tree is suitable for growing in tropical climates and can withstand extreme heat and humidity.
12. Kesar Mango Tree
The Kesar mango tree is a cultivated variety that can most commonly be found growing in western India. The Kesar mango tree is notable for being one of the few mango varieties that do not require pollination. The tree produces large round fruits that weigh between 20 and 40 grams.
The Kesar mango is very popular in India and is often grown commercially. It can be recognized by its unique bright orange colored pulp, sweet scent, and smooth texture.
13. Dasheri Mango Tree
The Dasheri mango tree is another cultivated variety of mango trees that can commonly be found growing in North India. The Dasheri mango tree has been developed over several generations and is thought to be over 200 years old.
The tree bears large round fruits that weigh about 30 grams and the tree is known to only bear its fruit every other year. The Dasheri Mango tree is noted for its excellent quality and sweetness.
14. Bombay Mango Tree
The Bombay mango tree, originating in India, was introduced to Jamaica and has since become a widely recognized mango variety across both India and the Americas.
The Bombay mango tree has a distinctive aroma and a sweet flavor. The fruit is usually picked when it is still green and unripe.
The Bombay mango tree is a small to medium-sized tree that typically grows up to 5 meters tall. The tree is also considered to be resistant to disease and pest attacks which makes it ideal for growing as an ornamental tree.
15. Chaunsa Mango Tree
The chaunsa mango tree, also known as chausa, is a cultivated variety of mango tree that is indigenous to South Asia. The tree bears large oval-shaped fruits that are known for their high sugar content and sweet taste.
The tree is highly prized for its ability to grow well in hot humid conditions and is also noted for its resistance to insects and diseases making it a desirable choice for commercial growers.
16. Amrapali Mango Tree
The Amrapali is a cultivated mango tree that is classified as a hybrid between the Dasheri and Neelam varieties. The Amrapali mango tree is native to Pakistan but has spread throughout much of the Indian subcontinent. The Amrapali tree is noted for its exceptionally sweet taste and large-sized fruit.
The tree is also noted for its exceptional growth and production rate as it is known to produce three times more fruit than other varieties of mango. However, is it not widely used commercially due to the fruit’s short shelf-life.
17. Langra Mango Tree
The Langra mango tree is also commonly called the Banarasi Langra and can mainly be found growing in Northern India. It is a cultivated variety of mango trees.
The Langra mango tree is noted for its large size and a long trunk. The tree is also known for having a strong fragrance that is reminiscent of vanilla. The fruit is also known for its superior quality and sweet taste.
18. Neelam Mango Tree
The Neelam mango tree bears fruit that is commonly used as a dessert mango. The Neelam mango tree is native to the Himalayan region of northern India and Nepal.
The unique tree is classified as a relatively small tree that is noted for producing large quantities of fruit with a sweet taste. The tree can be easily identified by its bright yellow flowers that bloom during the summer months.
19. Palmer Mango Tree
The Palmer mango tree is a cultivated variety that originated from south Florida. The tree is noted for bearing large fruits that have a very thick skin and sweet taste.
The fruit is also noted for being extremely juicy and contains many seeds. The tree is also easy to grow as it is said to grow vigorously and is tolerant to drought and salt.
20. Chok Anan Mango Tree
The Chok Anan mango tree is native to several regions including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Thailand. The tree is known for its large size and sweet-tasting fruit. Widely consumed, the Chok Anan mango is considered a unique variety as it is known to bear fruit twice a year.
The tree is often grown as an ornamental plant due to its attractive appearance. The tree is also notable for its tolerance to heat and humidity making it suitable for commercial use.
21. Badami Mango Tree
The Badami mango tree, also commonly known as the Karnataka Alphonso, is widely grown in north Karnataka. The tree is noted to bear large fruits with a sweet flavor. The tree is also resistant to pests and disease making it ideal for commercial cultivation.
22. Totapuri Mango Tree
The totapuri mango tree is a widely recognized cultivated variety of mango trees that can most commonly be found growing across India. The totapuri mango fruit is noted for having a large size and sweet flavor.
The fruit’s skin is considered to differ from other mango varieties as it lacks the usual bitter taste and is instead sweet and slightly tart.
The tree’s fruit is mostly used for its mango pulp due to its rich flavor. The tree is considered well suited for commercial cultivation due to its resistance to pests and diseases.
23. Glenn Mango Tree
The Glenn mango tree is characterized as a relatively small tree that consists of a compact canopy. The tree is noted as one of the best cultivars for commercial production due to its ability to produce large amounts of fruit at a fast rate. The tree is also noted for its sweetness and high yield.
Takeaway
From trees that have been around for over 200 years to mango trees that bear unique floral, citrus, and even vanilla tasting fruit, it’s fair to say that we’ve underestimated the depth of this species of flowering plant.