Bwa-yo - Société Audubon Haiti

11 Mango
Species: Mangifera indica L.
Family: Anacardiaceae
Common Names: H - mango, mangue, manguier; RD, C, PR - mango
Importance: Mango is the most important tree species in Haiti, with an estimated 4.5
million trees scattered throughout the country (Wiltbank, 1982). The fruit is second to
coffee in agricultural exports at about 8 million. metric tons (Estublier and Lingley,
1990). The lengthy fruiting season of the tree in Haiti gives the country an export
advantage, while providing a reliable food source during hunger months. Mature trees
are a major asset to meet cash contingencies, being lopped or harvested entirelyfor fuelwood,
charcoal, and lumber.
Taxonomy and Botanical Features: Mango is probably the best known member ofthe
Anacardiaceae family that includes cashew (Anacardium occidentale), hogplum
(Spondias mombin) and Com 0 cladia, the important genus for live fences. No one is
sure how many varieties exist in Haiti nor the extent ofhybridization among·the recognized
cultivars. Estimates range from 30-100 varieties, with one source listing as many
as 83 in the upper Artibonite watershed (Agricorp, 1984). Most ofthe mangos in Haiti
are polyembryonic with a genetic parentage that probably originated in southeast Asia
and the Philippines (Wiltbank, 1982). Selected monoembryonic cultivars, mainly from
India and Florida, are identified by their horticultural names in the country of origin
(e.g., Tommy Atkins, Ingowe, St Kitts).
Varietal differences are notable in the fruit, varying in size, shape, skin color and
thickness, pulp and fiber content, and nutritional properties (Table 11.1). Mango leaves
are lanceolate, about 30 cm long, reddish-purple when young, and dark green when
mature. Bisexual and staminate t10wers occur on the same panicle of the tree. Their
relative percentages vary among varieties, with more bisexual flowers toward the apex
ofthe panicles. Bisexual flowers are distinguished by a yellow ovary on a white disk in
the center ofthe flower.
Distribution and Ecology: Mango is a native oftropical Asia, probably from the Indo­
Burmese monsoon region (Rehm and Espig, 1991) where it has been cultivated for 4000
years. The greatest diversity ofmango is in India, which has more than 1000 types and
claims two-thirds of the world's production. It has spread throughout the tropics, having
been introduced into Mexico and Brazil during the late 17th century and spreading
to the West Indies through Barbados around 1742 and from Jamaica on board a ship destined
for Haiti in 1782 (Leonard and Sylvain, 1931).
The mango tree is very abundant in the lowland areas ofHaiti to approximately 400
meters above sea level. A typical landscape view ofthe valleys is dominated by trees,
with mango being the principal species among other common home-and-garden species
such as coconut, royal palm, breadfruit and avocado (Fig. 11.2). Mango thrives in areas
that receive an annual rainfall between 1000'-2000 mm distributed mostly during the
summer months and a 2-3 month dry season prior to flower and fruit production. It is
drought tolerant and can survive the drier regions of Haiti, rainfall between 600-800
mm, if additional subterranean moisture or irrigation is available for growth. Soil
requirements are moderate, the best soils being well-drained sandy or gravelly loams·of
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