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Mangifera caesia

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Mangifera caesia Jack

Family Name: Anacardiaceae
Synonyms: Mangifera kemanga Blume
Common Name: Binjai

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Big (>30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Broad / Mushroom / Hemispherical, Irregular
Maximum Height 45 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a large tree, up to 45 m tall.
Foliage Its alternate, stalked leaves are thick and leathery, about 7.5-41.5 cm long and 2.5-11 cm wide.
Flowers Its violet to lilac flowers are up to 1 cm long each, borne on a branched inflorescences up to 40 cm long.
Fruit Its fleshy fruits are pear-shaped drupes, that ripen to pale to yellowish brown, 10-19 cm long and 5-10 cm wide, containing a single pink seed enclosed with a hard endocarp.
Habitat It grows in lowland primary or swamp forests, and also along riverbanks, up to 450 m altitude.
Associated Fauna Its flowers are insect-pollinated. The fruits are eaten by mammals. It is also the food plant for the mango fruit borer or mango fruit boring caterpillar (Citripestis eutraphera).
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology Mangi, Indian mango, vernacular name for a Mangifera species; Latin caesia, lavender colour, referring to the colour of the flowers.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits
Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The young leaves are used to prepare ‘lalab’ (aleafy vegetables dish). The fresh fruits are eaten. The fruits are used to make home-made creamy juices, and eaten as a tamarind substitute. They are also utilised as ingredients in the preparation of ‘sambal’ (a type of chilli-spice mixture), or ‘rojak’ (a fruit and vegetable salad dish).
Cultural / Religious: Heritage Tree : There are 4 individuals of Mangifera caesia listed as Heritage Trees in Singapore. They are found all over various parts of Singapore. To find out more about these trees, please visit the Heritage Tree Register.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is a widely-known, cultivated fruit tree. It is a tree suitable for large gardens, and parks.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Form
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Riverine

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water, Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Leathery
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate, Rosulate / Rosette
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Purple
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Yellow / Golden, Cream / Off-White, Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit

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Master ID 1718
Species ID 3011
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 11 October 2024.
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