Mango

Large evergreen shade tree (30-100 ft) with dense, rounded canopy ideal for tropical landscapes. Excellent specimen tree for parks and large gardens, providing deep shade and architectural presence. Young trees suitable for container growing.

Leaves used traditionally for diabetes management, respiratory ailments, and diarrhea. Bark employed for dental care and treating dysentery. Kernel extract shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Unripe fruit used for digestive issues and heat stroke.

Ripe fruit eaten fresh, juiced, or dried. Essential in chutneys, pickles, and preserves. Green mangoes used in salads, curries, and condiments. Amchur (dried mango powder) serves as souring agent in Indian cuisine. Fruit puréed for lassis, ice creams, and desserts.

Native to South/Southeast Asia, thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. Provides habitat for birds, bats, and insects. Deep taproot prevents soil erosion. Flowers support bee populations. Fallen fruits feed wildlife. Can naturalize in favorable climates.

Alternate, simple leaves 6-16 inches long, lanceolate, leathery, dark green with prominent veins. New growth often reddish-bronze. Small fragrant flowers in terminal panicles, cream to pink. Oval drupe fruit 2-10 inches, green to yellow/orange when ripe.

Wood is moderately durable, used for furniture, flooring, and musical instruments (ukuleles, drums). Susceptible to termites but takes polish well. Used for boat building, window frames, and agricultural implements in native regions. Density around 675 kg/m³.

National fruit of India, Pakistan, and Philippines. Single tree can produce 500+ fruits annually. Some cultivars over 300 years old still bearing. Sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism. Leaves used in wedding decorations. Over 1,000 varieties exist worldwide.