Vol. 127 (2014): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Krome Memorial Institute (Tropicals)

Conservation and commercial development of Mangifera species (wild mangos) in Florida

Noris Ledesma
Fairchild Tropical Garden
Richard Campbell
Fairchild Tropical Garden
2014 Proceedings Florida State Horticultural Society Volume 127

Published 2018-03-15

Abstract

In Southeast Asia there is a wide diversity of Mangifera species that bear edible fruit, with 69 taxonomically recognized (Kostermans and Bompard, 1993). Among these species, Mangifera indica is the most important commercial fruit crop, although M. lalijiwa, M. odorata, M. caesia and M. foetida, among others, are routinely cultivated or collected for sale from wild trees. Several Mangifera species have been collected and are under evaluation at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in South Florida over the past 15 years. More than 33 accessions of Mangifera species from Borneo, peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico have been accessioned into the genetic collections of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden since 1994. Mangifera applanata (Assam kepeng), Mangifera caesia (wani), M. pentandra (Assam poah), M. griffithii (rancha rancha), M. laurina (Mangga ayer), M. quadrifida (Assam kumbang), M. rubrapetala (raba), M. casturi (kastooree), M. lalijiwa (honey mango), M. odorata (kuini), M. pajang (pajang), M. torquenda (lamatan), M. foetida (bachang), and other possible Mangifera species are under evaluation. These wild, edible mangos are in critical danger of extinction and represent an important resource for the future of mangos. Data presented includes their adaptability to modern cultivation and potential as commercial crops.