Mangifera indica L.
Scientific Name: Mangifera indica L.
Family: Anacardiaceae
Common Name: Mango
Hindi Name: आम
Description: A glabrous tree up to 15 m tall. Leaves 11-24 x 4-8 cm, oblong, lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, shiny and dark green on upper surface. Flowering panicles erect, conspicuous, longer than the leaves, pubescent. Calyx lobes ovate, pubescent on the outside. Petals imbricate, oblong, inner surface prominently 3-nerved. Drupe ± ovoid in outline, compressed, 3.5-20 cm long. Mesocarp fleshy. Endocarp (stone) hard and fibrous.
Economic Importance:
Fruit is relished all over the world. Wood is extensively used for low-cost furniture, floor, ceiling boards, window frames, heavy packing cases, match splints, brush backs, oar blades, agricultural implements etc. Also suitable for tea chest plywood. A hard charcoal of high calorific value is obtained from mango wood.
Medicinal Importance:
Various parts of plant are used as a dentrifrice, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, stomachic, vermifuge, tonic, laxative and diuretic and to treat diarrhea, dysentery, anaemia, asthma, bronchitis, cough, hypertension, insomnia, rheumatism, toothache, leucorrhoea, haemorrhage and piles.
Cultural Importance:
Mango leaves are often used in various rituals in India.
Religious Importance:
The mango tree is considered sacred by both the Hindus and Buddhists.
It is also known as the heavenly fruit in Vedas.
The leaf of the tree is used during most religious and social ceremonies of the Hindus.