Mango
Mangifera indica
Native Region
South Asia
Max Height
15-30 meters
Family
Anacardiaceae
Conservation
NE
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1500m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Limón
- San José
- Alajuela
- Heredia
- Cartago
Season
Flowering
Jan-Feb, Dec
Fruiting
Mar-Jun
Mango (King of Fruits)
The Mango (Mangifera indica) is undoubtedly the King of Fruits— cultivated for over 4,000 years and beloved by billions worldwide. Though native to South Asia, this magnificent tree has become completely naturalized in Costa Rica, where it lines roads, fills backyards, and dominates fruit markets during its glorious season. From the first green mangoes of the season eaten with salt and chili to the perfectly ripe, honey-sweet fruits of peak harvest, the Mango is woven into the fabric of tropical life. No tree better symbolizes the abundance and generosity of the tropics.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Mangifera indica
- Family
- Anacardiaceae (Cashew Family)
- Max Height
- 20-45 m
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 1.2 m
- Conservation
- Not Evaluated (cultivated)
- Key Feature
- World's most popular tropical fruit
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
15000
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist community science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy and Classification
- Mangifera: From Portuguese "manga" + Latin "ferre" (to bear) - indica: From India, the native region - Mango: From Portuguese, via Malay "mangga" - The word entered English in the 1580s
Common Names
| Language/Region | Common Name(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English | Mango | From Portuguese |
| Spanish | Mango, Manga | Universal |
| Hindi | Aam, Amba | Original names |
| Portuguese | Manga | Colonial spread |
| French | Mangue | From Portuguese |
| Costa Rica | Mango, Manga | Multiple varieties named |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Mango is a large, long-lived evergreen tree with a dense, rounded crown. Mature trees are impressive—broad-canopied, heavily branched, and often dominant in the landscape. The tree can live for over 100 years, with some specimens producing fruit for centuries. Young growth is often bronze or reddish, creating seasonal color contrasts.
Distinctive Features
Leaves
- Type: Simple, lanceolate
- Size: 15-35 cm long
- Color: Dark green (bronze when young)
- Texture: Leathery, glossy
- Arrangement: Alternate, clustered
- Evergreen: Yes, but periodic leaf drop
Bark
- Color: Gray to dark brown
- Texture: Rough, fissured
- Pattern: Scaly with age
- Feature: Exudes resin when damaged
The Glorious Fruit
- Shape: Oval to kidney-shaped
- Size: 5-25 cm (varies by variety)
- Skin: Green, yellow, red, or orange
- Flesh: Yellow to orange, fibrous to smooth
- Stone: Large, flat, fibrous
- Season: Mainly March-July in Costa Rica
- Yield: 100-400+ fruits per tree
Flowers
- Type: Small, numerous in panicles
- Color: Pinkish-white to yellowish
- Size: Panicle 15-30 cm long
- Number: 500-6,000 flowers per panicle!
- Fragrance: Sweet, sometimes strong
Choosing and eating a perfect mango: Signs of Ripeness: - Gives slightly to gentle pressure - Sweet aroma at stem end - Color change (varies by variety) - Some varieties never change color much Eating Methods: - The "hedgehog" cut (cross-hatch and invert) - Peeled and sliced - Eating straight off the seed (messy but fun!) - Blended into smoothies The Debate: Should mangoes be refrigerated? Some say yes (for firmness), purists say never (dulls flavor). Try both!
History and Spread
From India to the World
4,000 Years of Cultivation
Mango has one of the longest cultivation histories: Ancient Origins: - Domesticated in South Asia ~4,000 years ago - Sacred in Hindu and Buddhist traditions - Featured in ancient Indian literature - First fruit trees to be cultivated Colonial Spread: - Portuguese brought to Africa (1500s) - Spread to Brazil (1700s) - Reached Caribbean and Central America (1700s-1800s)
- Arrived in Costa Rica in colonial period Modern Era: - Now grown in 100+ countries - India produces 50% of world's mangoes - Second most traded tropical fruit - Over 1,000 named varieties worldwide
Arrival in Costa Rica
Though not native, mangoes are completely integrated into Costa Rican life: - Introduced during Spanish colonial period - Now found in nearly every town and farm - Many naturalized seedling trees - Important commercial production - Essential part of seasonal rhythms "Mango season" (temporada de mango) is a real event—when trees are laden with fruit, people collect them, share them, and celebrate the abundance!
Distribution and Habitat
Cultivation Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
| Province | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Very Common | Major commercial production |
| Puntarenas | Very Common | Pacific lowlands, farms |
| Alajuela | Common | Lower elevations |
| Limón | Common | Caribbean coast |
| San José | Present | Valley margins, lower areas |
| Cartago | Occasional | Warmer zones only |
Growing Conditions
- Elevation: Sea level to 1,200 m (optimal below 600 m)
- Climate: Tropical, with distinct dry season
- Rainfall: 1,000-2,500 mm/year
- Temperature: 24-30°C optimal
- Soil: Deep, well-drained (adaptable)
- Light: Full sun essential
- Frost: Will not tolerate
Ecological Importance
Wildlife Value
Fruit Consumers
- Monkeys: Major consumers (spider, howler, capuchin)
- Bats: Fruit bats love ripe mangoes
- Parrots and Parakeets: Important food
- Tanagers and Orioles: Eat ripe fruit
- Squirrels: Regular visitors
- Coatis: Ground-fallen fruit
- Insects: Many attracted to fruit
Tree Services
- Shade Provider: Major canopy
- Nesting Sites: Large branches, cavities
- Epiphyte Host: Supports orchids, ferns
- Pollinator Support: Flowers feed many insects
- Wind Break: Dense canopy
In Costa Rica, mango trees are critical wildlife resources: During Mango Season: - Monkeys move from tree to tree - Parrot flocks gather in fruiting trees - Bats patrol nightly for ripe fruit - Even jaguars and pumas eat fallen mangoes! Year-Round: - Shade for cattle and wildlife - Nesting habitat for countless birds - Roosting sites for bats A single large mango tree supports incredible biodiversity!
Costa Rican Varieties
Common Varieties in Costa Rica
| Variety | Description | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manga | Large, fibrous, green-yellow | Early | Traditional 'criollo' type |
| Tommy Atkins | Large, red-green, mild flavor | Mid | Commercial standard |
| Haden | Medium, red-yellow, sweet | Mid | Popular variety |
| Kent | Large, green-red, less fiber | Late | Excellent flavor |
| Palmer | Elongated, firm flesh | Mid-late | Good for export |
| Keith | Small-medium, very sweet | Various | Local favorite |
Costa Ricans often prefer the traditional "manga criolla": - Seedling trees with variable fruit - Often more fibrous but intensely flavored - Nostalgic connection to childhood - Trees often very old and productive Commercial varieties may look better but many locals prefer the taste of the traditional types!
Uses and Products
The Fruit
Endless Ways to Enjoy
Mango fruit is incredibly versatile: Fresh: - Ripe mangoes eaten fresh - Green mangoes with salt, chili, lime - Cut into chunks or slices - Straight from the seed! Processed: - Juices and nectars - Dried mango (popular snack) - Frozen chunks and puree - Pickles and chutneys - Mango ice cream and sorbet Culinary: - Salads (green mango salads) - Salsas and sauces - Smoothies and batidos - Desserts and pastries - Added to ceviches Commercial Products: - Baby food - Fruit leather - Candies - Flavorings
Other Uses
- Wood: Furniture, construction (rot-prone)
- Shade: Excellent for pastures and homes
- Fuel: Prunings for firewood
- Medicine: Bark, leaves, seeds in traditional medicine
- Cultural: Religious and ceremonial uses
Nutritional Value
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 60 kcal | Natural energy |
| Vitamin C | 36 mg (60% DV) | Immune support |
| Vitamin A | 1082 IU (22% DV) | Eye health |
| Fiber | 1.6 g | Digestive health |
| Potassium | 168 mg | Heart health |
| Sugar | 14 g | Natural sweetness |
Cultivation
Growing Mangoes
Cautions
Mango and Allergies
Important to know about mango: Related to Poison Ivy: Mango belongs to Anacardiaceae—same family as poison ivy! The sap contains urushiol-like compounds. Contact Dermatitis: - Sap can cause skin irritation - Worse around mouth ("mango mouth") - Affects some people, not all - Usually from unpeeled fruit Prevention: - Have someone else peel mangoes - Don't let skin touch mouth area - Wash hands after handling - Sensitivity often develops over time If you've never had a reaction, you're probably fine—but be aware!
Identification Guide
How to Identify Mango Trees
Year-Round Identifiers:
- Large, lanceolate, leathery leaves
- Dense, rounded, spreading crown
- Bronze-colored new growth
- Rough, fissured bark
- Aromatic crushed leaves (turpentine-like)
Seasonal Identifiers:
- Large pink-white flower panicles (Dec-Feb)
- Developing and ripe fruits (Mar-Jul)
- Distinctive fruit shape and seed
Where to See Mango in Costa Rica
| Location | Context | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Everywhere! | Urban, rural, wild | One of the most common trees |
| Guanacaste roads | Avenue plantings | Spectacular large trees |
| Any farm or town | Backyards | Nearly universal |
| Central markets | Fruit vendors | Many varieties in season |
| Beach towns | Shade trees | Often very large specimens |
Plan your visit to Costa Rica for mango season: - Peak Season: April-June
- Early Varieties: February-March - Late Varieties: July-August During peak season: - Prices are lowest - Selection is best - Roadside vendors everywhere - Trees literally dripping with fruit It's impossible to visit Costa Rica in mango season and not eat your fill of this incredible fruit!
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Agricultural information
Variety information and recipes
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Morton, J.F. (1987). Mango in Fruits of Warm Climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami
Bally, I.S.E. (2006). Mangifera indica (mango). Traditional Trees of Pacific Islands
Mukherjee, S.K. (1972). Origin of Mango (Mangifera indica). Economic Botany 26(3):260-264
There's a reason the mango is called the King of Fruits. No other tree so perfectly embodies tropical abundance—those dense, spreading crowns providing shade from the fierce sun, the explosion of fragrant flowers that fill the air in dry season, and then the glorious harvest of fruits in every shade from green to gold to red. Whether you're eating a perfectly ripe mango over the kitchen sink (the only civilized way to handle the juicy mess), or buying a bag of green mangoes to eat with salt and chili, you're participating in a 4,000-year tradition of human appreciation for this magnificent fruit. In Costa Rica, where mangoes have become as integral to the landscape as any native tree, the mango season is a time of abundance, sharing, and simple joy. Long live the King!
