Mango (Kalluketty, Graft) Fruit Plant

Mangoes are juicy stone fruits produced by several species of tropical trees belonging to the flowering plant genus Mangifera. They are cultivated primarily for their edible fruit and belong to the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. While many species exist as wild mangoes in nature, the most widely cultivated is Mangifera indica, commonly known as the common or Indian mango. Native to South Asia, mangoes have been distributed worldwide and are now among the most widely grown and consumed tropical fruits.

The ripe fruit varies widely in size, shape, and color depending on the cultivar, with varieties appearing in shades of yellow, orange, red, or green. Each fruit contains a single flat, oblong pit that may be fibrous or hairy on the surface and does not easily separate from the surrounding pulp. When ripe and unpeeled, mangoes emit a distinctive sweet, resinous aroma. Inside the pit lies a thin protective layer about 1–2 mm thick, enclosing a single seed measuring 4–7 cm in length. This seed contains the plant embryo. Mango seeds are recalcitrant, meaning they cannot survive drying or freezing conditions.

Mango flesh is generally sweet, though flavor and texture vary widely across cultivars. Some varieties are soft and pulpy like an overripe plum, while others are firmer like a cantaloupe or avocado, and some may have a more fibrous texture. The skin of unripe, pickled, or cooked mango can also be consumed, but it may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, particularly around the lips, gums, or tongue.