Mangifera indica

Mango

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Anacardiaceae
Genus:	Mangifera
Species:	M. indica
Binomial name
*Mangifera indica* L.

Mangifera indica(Mangifera indica) is a species ofmango in theAnacardiaceaefamily. It is found in the wild in India and cultivated varieties have been introduced to other warm regions of the world. It is the largest fruit-tree in the world, capable of a height of one-hundred feet and an average circumference of twelve to fourteen feet, sometimes reaching twenty.^[1] The species appears to have been domesticated in India at around 2000 BC.^[2] The species was brought to East Asia around 400-500 BCE from India; next, in the 15th century to the Philippines; and then, in the 16th century to Africa and Brazil by thePortuguese.^[3] The species was described for science byLinnaeus in 1753.^[4]

Creole mangos from Oaxaca, México

Mango is thenational fruit ofIndia, Pakistan and the Philippines. It finds mention in the songs of 4th century CE Sanskrit poetKalidasa. Prior to that, it is believed to have been tasted by Alexander (4th century BCE) and Chinese pilgrimHieun Tsang (7th century CE). Later in 16th centuryMughal Emperor, Akbarplanted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga, Bihar at a place now known as Lakhi Bagh.^[5]

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Chemical constituents[edit]

Mango, in moist Brazilian tropics

M. indica flowers in Sri Lanka

Mangiferin (a pharmacologically active flavonoid, a natural 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).^[6] Allergenicurushiols are present in the fruit peel and can triggercontact dermatitis in sensitised individuals. This reaction is more likely to occur in people who have been exposed to other plants from the Anacardiaceaefamily, such as poison oakand poison ivy, which are widespread in the United States.^[7]

Traditional medicine[edit]

In ayurveda, it is used in a Rasayana formula (q.v.), clearing digestion and acidity due to pitta (heat), sometimes with other mild sours and shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). In this oriental system of traditional medicines, varied medicinal properties are attributed to different parts of the mango tree, both as food and medicine. It is anti-diuretic, anti-diarrheal, anti-emetic and cardiac herb.^[8]

Wood[edit]

The tree is more known for its fruit rather than for its lumber. 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.^[9] The wood is used for musical instruments such asukeleles,^[9] plywood and low-cost furniture.^[10] The wood is also known to producephenolic substances that can cause contact dermatitis.^[11]

In culture[edit]

In Theravada Buddhism, mango is said to have used as the tree for achieved enlightenment, or Bodhi by twenty third Lord Buddhacalled "Sikhi - සිඛි". The plant is known as අඹ (Ambha) in Sinhala.

Author Pablo Antonio Cuadra, created a narrative of the Mango in Nicaragua; "the mango that arrived in Nicaragua from distant Hindustan.",^[12] a single sapling that was placed on a ship in Hindustan and planted in a garden inGranada. Nicaragua is known for its many mangos.

Rivas, Rivas, Nicaragua is known as "La Ciudad de Los Mangos", which translates to the "City of Mangoes".^[13]

References[edit]

Jump up^ (1846). The Missionary guide-book, p.180. Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley.
Jump up^ Sauer, Jonathan D. (1993).Historical geography of crop plants : a select roster. Boca Raton u.a.: CRC Press. p. 17.ISBN 0849389011.
Jump up^ Gepts, P. (n.d.). "PLB143: Crop of the Day: Mango,Mangifera indica". The evolution of crop plants. Dept. of Plant Sciences, Sect. of Crop & Ecosystem Sciences,University of California, Davis. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
Jump up^ GRIN (May 5, 1997)."Mangifera indica information from ARS/GRIN". Taxonomy for Plants. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland: USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Retrieved October 8,2009.
Jump up^ "National Fruit". Govt. of India Official website.
Jump up^ Barreto J.C., Trevisan M.T.S., Hull W.E., Erben G., De Brito E.S., Pfundstein B., Würtele G., Spiegelhalder B., Owen R.W. (2008). "Characterization and quantitation of polyphenolic compounds in bark, kernel, leaves, and peel of mango (Mangifera indica L.)". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 56 (14): 5599–5610. doi:10.1021/jf800738r.PMID 18558692.
Jump up^ Urushiol CASRN: 53237-59-5 TOXNET (Toxicology Data Network) NLM (NIH). Retrieved 22 January 2014.
Jump up^ National R&D Facility For Rasayana
^ Jump up to:^a ^b "Mango". The Wood Database. Retrieved 30 August2014.
Jump up^ "Economic importance of Mangifera indica". Green Clean Guide. Retrieved30 August 2014.
Jump up^ Tu, series editor, Anthony T. (1983). Handbook of natural toxins. New York: Dekker. p. 425. ISBN 0824718933.
Jump up^ Cuadra, Pablo Antonio (2007). Seven Trees against the Dying Light. United States: Northwestern University Press. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-8101-2474-5.
Jump up^ Rounsefel, Erica (2008).Adventure Guide Nicaragua. Edison, NJ: Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 205. ISBN 978-158843-632-0.