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Mangifera indica, commonly known as Mango, is a large evergreen fruit tree typically growing 30–65 feet (9–20 m) tall, with some older trees becoming much larger.
Growth Form
Broad, spreading canopy
Strong central trunk
Dense shade-producing crown
Long-lived tree
Bark
Gray to dark brown
Rough and fissured with age
Thick and durable
Leaves
Simple and alternate
Long, narrow, and leathery
6–12 inches long
Glossy dark green when mature
Young leaves often reddish or bronze
The young flush gives the tree a distinct seasonal appearance.
Flowers
Small and yellowish-white
Produced in large branched clusters (panicles)
Lightly fragrant
Hundreds of flowers produced, though few become fruit
Fruit
Fleshy drupe
Oval to kidney-shaped
Green turning yellow, orange, red, or mixed colors depending on variety
Single large flat seed inside
Flesh sweet, juicy, and often fibrous
Fruit size and flavor vary greatly by variety.
Habitat
Mangifera indica occurs in Human Altered environments (yards, gardens, and farms). It persists in abandoned fields and yards for decades.
Distribution
Native to South Asia, especially India and Myanmar, but introduced through trade routes to Africa, the Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide
Ecological Importance
Flowers attract pollinators
Fruit eaten by birds, bats, and humans
Provides shade
Limited role in native ecosystem structure
Cultural Notes
Deeply woven into Bahamian summer life
Eaten fresh under the tree
Used in juices, jams, preserves, and chutneys
Shared widely during mango season
Though non-native, mango has become one of the strongest symbols of tropical home life in The Bahamas.
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