Description: A large evergreen tree with a broad crown, leathery lance-shaped leaves and terminal clusters of small flowers. Fruits are fleshy and highly variable in shape and colour.

Identification: Long leathery leaves; terminal flower panicles; large fleshy stone fruits.

Habitat & distribution: Tropical South Asia; extensively cultivated throughout India and Kerala.

Uses / importance: Mango is one of India’s major fruit crops. Fruits are eaten fresh and processed into juices, pickles and other products.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom – Plantae
Clade – Angiosperms
Clade – Eudicots
Order – Sapindales
Family – Anacardiaceae
Genus – Mangifera
Species – M. indica

Sources: Kew POWO; ICAR; India Biodiversity Portal.