Mangifera indica L.

Sanjeet Kumar

Mangifera indica L.

Common Name:  “Aam”

Botanical name: Mangifera indica L.

Family: Anacardiaceae

Vernacular name(s)                        Taxonomic classification

Hindi: Aam                                          Kingdom: Plantae

Oriya: Aamo                                       Division: Rosids

English: Mango                                  Order: Spinals

Urdu: Aam                                          Family: Anacardiaceae

Gujarat: Keri                                      Genus: Mangifera

Kannada: Mavina hannu                   Species: indica

Distribution

It is found in South Asia, East Africa, Mogadishu, Brazil, West Indies, Mexico, India, China, Central America, Pakistan, Caribbean, Bangladesh, west and central Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia.

Botany of Mangifera indica L.

It is a tree with a crown radius.  Leaves evergreen, alternate, simple, young leaves orange-pink, rapidly changing to a dark glossy red. Flowers terminal panicles; each flower small, white with five petals, mild sweet odor. Taproot descends depth of 6 m to 8 m with profuse, wide-spreading feeder roots. Ripen fruit varies in size and color. Ripe, unpeeled fruit gives off a distinctive resinous. Single seed, contains embryo.

Medicinal properties (s)

It has many pharmacological activities such as ant-diabetic, antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hypoglycemic and anti-cancer activity. Dried flowers used as astringents in diarrhea, bark are used against rheumatism and diphtheria, gum is used in syphilis and leaves have antibiotic activity.

Chemical Compound (s)

Xanthone C-glycoside; peel and sap contains urushiol, carotenoids, Provitamin A compound, beta-carotene, lutein and alpha-carotene, polyphenols. Quercetin, Kaempferol, Gallic acid,  Caffeic acid, Catechins,Mangiferin, leaves have polyphenol content. Bark contain Mangiferine.

Common use (s)

·      It is used to make Chutney, Athanu, Pickles, Lassi and ripen mangoes are eaten

• Ripe mango is holy for worship and blossoms are also used in the worship of the goddess Saraswati among Hindu Community.
• In Telugu/Kannada community, it is used as a food in New Year called Ugadi-Pichadi..
• Leaves are used to decorate archways and doors in Indian houses and during weddings and celebrations.
• Its fruit and leaves are ritually used as floral decorations at weddings, public celebrations and religious ceremonies.
•  India is the largest producer of mangoes but consume most of its own production
• It is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines and National Tree of Bangladesh.