Mango: The King of Fruits
Some love to eat them. Some are allergic to them. But did you know that mangoes have some impressive pharmacological properties, too?
In this post, I delve into a delicious member of the poison ivy family. Yes, you read that right! Notorious plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are relatives of the delicious mango! Historically, mangoes have been cultivated across tropical regions including India, Africa, Asia, and Central America. Native to tropical Asia, this tree has been a staple in the Indian subcontinent for over 4,000 years and holds significant importance in Ayurvedic medicine.
Botanical Origins
The mango, scientifically known as Mangifera indica, belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. This evergreen tree is fast-growing and long-lived, boasting perennial, dark green, pointed, and glossy leaves. The mango tree produces inflorescences in panicles, each containing around 3,000 flowers that vary in color from whitish-red to yellowish-green. In tropical regions, these trees can soar to heights of 30–40 meters. However, in subtropical areas, their growth is notably stunted.
Mangoes are cultivated over an expanse of roughly 3.7 million hectares globally. Among tropical fruits, the mango holds second place in terms of production and land use, surpassed only by bananas. In 2021, the global production of mangoes was estimated at 57million metric tons!
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