芒果

植物簡介

A medium to large sized tree with a dense, rounded crown with rather distinctive drooping elliptic to lanceolate leaves. It is still relatively common in parks, open spaces and community gardens in Singapore. The leaves are simple, deep green, up to 30cm long and 7 cm wide, oblong-elliptic to lanceolate in shape, with entire and slightly undulate margins. The midrib is yellow and quite visible, and the leaves also tend to droop downwards slightly. Young flushes are coppery red to bronze in colour. Individual flowers are tiny, yellow to pinkish white, but borne on large, showy panicles with red peduncles, and are considered fragrant. Uneven flowering within the same tree has been reported in some cultivated varieties (or cultivars) of mango including the ‘Sensation’ cultivar (Oosthuyse & Jacobs 1996, Reece et al. 1946, Lin & Chen 1981). It is uncertain why uneven flowering occurs. Oosthuyse & Jacobs (1997) found that flowering can be synchronized in ‘Sensation’ trees by pruning the inflorescences. It is possible that the inflorescence may produce hormones that signal other parts of the tree not to flower. Removing the inflorescence may eliminate the source of inhibitory signals, allowing all parts of the tree to flower. Uneven flowering is a beneficial trait in terms of promoting survival of the mango species and results in flowers being available for a longer period of time thus increasing the likelihood of successful pollination. It also prevents unfavourable weather conditions from destroying the entire crop, because dry weather is required for optimal fruit production. The most famous part of this tree, the fruit is a large drupe, up to 20cm long, ovoid-oblong in shape, with green, yellow or red skin often slightly glaucous. It hangs from the branches on long stalks. The flesh when ripe is yellow, juicy and very fragrant. They are relished by humans and animals, including bats, birds, monkeys etc.