Tree Species of the Mango (Mangifera) Genus

Picture of a Mango Tree

The common Mango tree (Mangifera indica) is the most well known species within the Mangifera genus of flowering trees, which is presently comprised of approximately 69 species. These trees are native to subtropical and tropical southeast Asia. Most species of Mangifera trees are found in the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra. Most species are canopy trees in rainforests, some reaching a height of 98 to 130 ft (30 to 40 m).

Mango Fruit Trees

Mangifera tree species are mainly cultivated in Asia, however specific species have been introduced to other parts of the world for food production.
About 27 species in the Mangifera genus produce edible fleshy fruits the most well known being the common Mango (Mangifera indica). The other edible Mangifera species generally produce less desirable fruit and are commonly referred to as wild mangos. Mangifera foetida, for example produces astringent fruits that can be pickled, but not eaten raw. The fruit from Mangifera tree species is called a drupe (fleshy with a single seed enclosed in a leathery endocarp).

Mango Tree Toxicity

The Mango (Mangifera) genus of trees is part of the sumac plant family (Anacardiaceae), known for its other toxic genus groups, such as Poison Sumac (Rhus), and the Poison Ivy, Poison Oak genus (Toxicodendron).

Mango leaves contain a milky sap, as does the rest of the tree, including the trunk, roots, branches and the skin of unripe fruit. This milky sap is a potent skin irritant, and capable of blistering the skin of a normal individual. Just as with poison ivy, there is typically a delayed reaction with sap to skin contact. Hypersensitive people will show swelling of the eyelids, the face, and any other parts of the body that may have had contact with the sap.

Mango Fruit Toxicity

People that have a severe skin reaction to mango sap may not be able to handle, peel, eat mangos or any food containing mango flesh or juice. However some hypersensitive people may be able to eat mango if the fruit is prepared by someone else using one knife to peel the mango, then another clean knife to slice the fleshy fruit, this avoids contaminating the flesh with any of the resinous sap in the peel.

Facts about the Mangifera Genus of Trees

• Genus Scientific Name = Mangifera
• Genus Common Names = Mango
• Number of Taxa in the Mangifera Genus = 69

List of Mango Tree names and pictures, Mangifera Genus - All known species, taxa on Earth, organized by scientific Latin botanical name first and common names second.