Mangifera laurina
Mangifera laurina
The mango ayer (Mangifera laurina Blume, 1850) is an arboreal species belonging to the Anacardiaceae family.
Systematic –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Plantae Kingdom,
Magnoliophyta division,
Magnoliopsida class,
Subclasse rosidae,
Order sapindales,
Anacardiaceae family,
Genre Mangifera,
Species M. Laurina.
The terms are synonymous:
– Mangifera longipes Griff.;
– Mangifera longipes var. glabrescens;
– Mangifera parish Miq.;
– Mangifera silvatica O.Lecompte;
– Mangifera sumatrana Miq..
Etymology –
The term Mangifera comes from the Indian voice Mángo, the name of a fruit, and from Féro to bring: which produces fruits similar to those of a mango.
The specific epithet Laurina comes from the Latin “Laurina”, similar to the laurel in reference to the appearance of the leaf.
Geographical distribution and habitat –
The Mangifera laurina is a plant whose area of origin is from Bangladesh to China (S. Yunnan) and West and the center of Malaysia. The plant grows spontaneously in Eastern Asia: southern China, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Philippines.
His habitat is that of the humid tropical forests of plains at quotas up to 300 meters.
Description –
The Mangifera laurina is an evergreen tree that grows up to about 25 m in height.
The trunk has a diameter that can reach 1.5 m in the older specimens, with a brown cortex.
The branches are directed upwards and form a dense and shady hair.
The lymph that comes out of any cuts in the cortex, from the intense smell of terrible, can cause skin irritation, in particular in the most sensitive subjects.
The leaves are oblong-lanceolate in shape with wavy edges, 15-25cm long and 4-6 cm wide, leather, light green color glossy, dark green in the bottom.
The inflorescences are in a position with diapers with cob terminals, erect, 25-40 cm long, with flowers of about 10 mm in diameter.
The fruits are ovoid or kidney-shaped drupes, 5-6 cm long and 4 cm thick pale or greenish yellow color, liquidation pulp with intense yellow maturity with a sweet, or slightly acidic taste, with a light terrible aroma.
The seeds are oval in shape, often multiembrionic.
Cultivation –
Mangifera laurina is an evergreen tree that grows both wild and cultivated in Southeast Asia, where the fruit is widely appreciated and consumed.
With the introduction of the Mangifera indica, it was used less and less as the latter is generally considered to have a higher quality fruit.
For its cultivation it must be taken into account that it is a plant of the plain damp tropics and that begins to bloom when it is about 15 meters high.
Nowadays it is a species now not very cultivated; However, for its adaptability to cultivation in the locations of Pianura with a humid climate, where mango proves unsuitable, and for its remarkable resistance to some fungal diseases such as Anthrachnosis (Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides), it is used as a grafting door, especially in Malaysia , and in research for the genetic improvement of mango.
Reproduction takes place by seed or even for cutting.
The seed is often multiembrional and produces one or several seedlings.
Uses and traditions –
The Mangifera laurina is a plant known with some common names among which they report: “Mantgga Kopyor”, “Mergga Pari” (Indonesian); “Mango Ayer” (English); “Mango de Agua” (Spanish).
This plant is used in nature or grown for its fruits, which are generally consumed immature as a fruit salad ingredient; However, the advent of the Mangifera indicates has marginalized the use.
It is currently used in research for the genetic improvement of mango or as a graft door.
Matuous fruits are a fun of children who practice a small hole in the peel and crushing the fruit, thanks to the liquid pulp, they drink the juice.
Among other uses there is that of the wood for heating and coal.
Preparation methods –
The Mangifera laurina is a plant that is used for edible use.
The fruits consume raw or cooked, with a sweet and very tasty flavor.
The fruit only has a little pulp that with liquefa maturity so that it can be suck. More often the fruit is collected immature, sliced and served in fruit salads with spicy sauce (‘Rujak’).
No use for medicinal use or others of particular importance are known.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Gbif, The Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (edited by), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian Vascular Flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the pharmacy of the Lord, advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler publisher.
Photo source:
– https://garden.org/plants/view/499117/Mango-Mangifera-laurina/
– https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2640609041
Attention: pharmaceutical applications and halimurgical uses are indicated to mere information purpose, do not represent in any way medical prescription; Therefore, any responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes is declined.