The mango is a succulent tropical stone fruit, recognized globally for its vibrant color, aroma, and sweet flavor. This highly prized fruit is the fleshy product of a large evergreen tree belonging to the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. As one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, its long history of cultivation has led to great variation in size, shape, and taste. Determining the number of “types” is complicated, spanning both botany and agriculture.
The Genus Mangifera and Species Count
The botanical classification of mangoes begins with the genus Mangifera, the scientific grouping for all mango species. The precise count of accepted species constantly shifts due to new discoveries and genetic reclassification. However, botanists generally agree there are approximately 64 to 70 distinct species in the Mangifera genus. These species are overwhelmingly native to the lowland rainforests of South and Southeast Asia.
The vast majority of the world’s commercially grown mangoes originate from a single species: Mangifera indica, or the common mango. This species is responsible for the entire global mango industry. The other dozens of Mangifera species are much less known and are primarily confined to their native habitats. Only about 26 of the total species produce fruit considered edible.
Most non-indica species yield fruits that are too fibrous, sour, or resinous for commercial consumption. M. indica was naturally selected and then intensively cultivated over millennia for its superior fruit quality. Consequently, consumers rarely encounter the other wild mango species in grocery stores.
Species vs. Cultivars: Understanding Mango Diversity
The tremendous variety of mangoes seen by the consumer is not a reflection of different species but rather the extensive development of agricultural cultivars. A botanical species, like Mangifera indica, is a group of organisms that can interbreed naturally. A cultivar, short for “cultivated variety,” is a plant variety produced and maintained in cultivation, typically through selective breeding.
The total number of Mangifera species stands in stark contrast to the sheer number of named cultivars derived from M. indica, which number in the hundreds to over a thousand globally. India alone is home to over 500 named varieties of the common mango. All of these named types—such as ‘Alphonso,’ ‘Kent,’ ‘Tommy Atkins,’ and ‘Honey’ (Ataulfo)—are members of the single species Mangifera indica.
These cultivars were developed by farmers and breeders selecting for specific traits over centuries, creating differences in fruit characteristics. For instance, the ‘Tommy Atkins’ cultivar is favored by commercial growers for its long shelf life and resilience during shipping. In contrast, the ‘Alphonso’ is prized for its non-fibrous, rich, sweet flesh but is much more delicate to transport. The vast differences in color, shape, texture, and flavor consumers observe result from this intense human-driven selection within M. indica.
Centers of Origin and Wild Relatives
The genus Mangifera has its primary center of diversity located in the Malesian ecoregion of Southeast Asia. This area, which includes the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra, holds the greatest concentration of different wild mango species. The cultivated common mango, M. indica, traces its origin to a slightly different area: the region encompassing parts of northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and eastern India.
The wild mango species, those other than M. indica, are often referred to as wild relatives and serve an important agricultural purpose. While these species may not produce fruit palatable to humans, they possess a valuable genetic blueprint. Scientists are interested in their genes for traits like resistance to pests and diseases or tolerance to drought and extreme temperatures.
By cross-breeding commercial cultivars with these wild relatives, researchers can introduce hardiness and resilience into the domestic mango population. This genetic diversity is a resource for developing future mango varieties capable of withstanding the challenges posed by a changing climate. The conservation of these lesser-known species is important for the long-term sustainability of the global mango industry.