A Key to Florida Mango Varieties

FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 175

Perrine 31.0 may readily be seen we still have a few Sarasota _„ 25.0 acres in this warm, and water-controlled, February 16, 1943: areaforthe expansion of the Tropical Fruit Morrison Field (West Palm Beach) 37.3 Industry. Delray Beach 32.0 In conclusion, another factor which no Homestead 25.7 doubt plays an important part in the tem Perrine 28.2 perature benefit enjoyed in this locality is Sarasota 26.8 directly attributable to soil characteristics. Iona (Ft. Myers) 31.3 This territory, without exception, is made In this area we have a drainage and up of mineral soils that radiate heat much irrigation set-up comprising 123,000 acres faster during cold weather than the organic with 600 miles of canals and a yearly Everglades soils. average rainfall of 66.47 inches for the Under the guidance of our able County past 14 years. In addition to the rainfall Agent, "Red" Mounts, and occasional visits we have an irrigation pumping capacity of by Johnnie Lynch from the Sub-Tropical 160,000 gallons per minute. In this warm Experiment Station at Homestead, you may sandy loam area there 11,869.74 acres in expect in the near future to hear more winter vegetables, and 20,000 acres in dair about this area and enjoy some of the ies, groves, pineapples and other uses. It fruits that meet every desire of a king.

A KEY TO FLORIDA MANGO VARIETIES

T. T. STURROCK, West Palm Beach and H. S, WOLFE, University of Florida, Gainesville

One of the most interesting fruits which variety is found by a layman who wishes Florida produces on a commercial scale and to know what it is. The purpose of this which can hardly be produced elsewhere in study is to present a means by which these the continental United States is the mango. interested people may be able to identify While there are only a very few varieties these fruit. which are of commercial importance, there This study takes into consideration all are many varieties which have been intro varieties which are commonly grown in duced during the pasthalf century from Florida or give promise of being widely other lands, and many other varieties which grown in the near future. As more varieties have originated here as seedlings. These come into prominence it is hoped that they fruits appear on local markets all over the can be added to this list and key. There southern end of the state and also are often are many seedling trees in gardens over the found on markets of northern Florida. southern part of the state which have been Nearly all Floridians know a mango when named by their owners or their friends, they see one, but most of them have heard but which exist as only a single specimen only of the Haden or the common Turpen tree ora few specimens. It has been neces tine seedlings, while the existance of other sary to limit this key to varieties- of wide much superior varieties is practically un distribution orof proven worth for pro known to them. Quite often an unfamiliar pagation. It has also been impossible to 176 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

include any varieties not now found in if this protuberance, although small, is the Florida, regardless of their importance in end of a curve forming the dorsal edge of other mango growing regions. A few varie the fruit and passing by the apex without ties not known outside the Palm Beach experiencing a sharp change in direction areas are included because of the senior (see Fig. B, Plate I) and with the presence author's intimate acquaintance with that of a definite concavity above this point.

area. Several other characters, themselves Only fruit characters have been used in quite plain, may need some explanation in constructing this key, in order that it may regard +o their use in this key and these be of widest possible usefulness. It should descriptions. The "spots" occuring on the be stressed, however, that it is impossible to surface of the fruit are in connection with make any key which will cover all the pos lenticels (air holes) in the skin of the fruit. sible variations which may occur in the fruit These lenticels are present in the skin of all on even a single tree. Several fruit speci mango fruits, but their presence is conspic mens, which seem to be fairly representative uously marked with these spots in some var of the variety in question, should be used if ieties. These marks may vary in size from possible in "'keying out" varieties. very small "flecks" to quite sizable "spots", Some of the main characters used in this and in color from almost pure white to a key are as follows: relationship between the yellow and sometimes even with brown cen length and width of the fruit; coloration of ters. The number of these spots may be the ripe fruit—whether there was or was not few or it may be many. The "bloom" of a developed any red color; presence or ab plum is familiar to everyone, but its presence sence of a beak; conspicuousness of a nak; on the mango is less noticed. This "bloom" size (length); shape; presence or absence of is a slight "dusty" or "waxy" substance fiber; aroma; quality; presence or absence which can be easily rubbed from the skin and size of dots; character of apex; smooth of the fruit. In many cases where this con ness of skin; and whether the stem was on a dition does occur it is rubbed off by handling raised button or sunken. or in transit before it reaches the market. These characters are self-explanatory with Nevertheless, it is a character often over the possible exception of the terms "beak" looked in the, description of mango fruits. and "nak". The "nak" (see Fig. A, Plate I) The "blush" or "over-color" on mangos is is the stigmatic point; that is, the remnant influenced to some extent by the exposure of the spot on the ovary where the pistil of to sunlight. A fruit which has hung in the the flower was attached. This may be con shade has nowhere near the bright color that spicuous or inconspicuous, on a raised protu a fruit which' has hung exposed to full sun berance, level or sunken. It also may vary shine has. In many cases there will be in position from being on the apex of the fruit on the same tree which vary from ab fruit to being at a point about one-third the solutely no blush to a very bright blush ex way from the apex to the shoulder. If a tending over most of the fruit. The "aroma" beak is present tjie nak is on the tip of the is another variable character. Almost every beak. The "beak" itself is a lateral protub mango fruit has a certain amount of aroma erance more or less on a level with the apex in its make-up, but there are varieties such and making the apical end of the fruit very as the Amini which have so much aroma broad. In many cases there is no question that one fruit left overnight in a room will about the presence or absence of a beak, fill the room with its fragrance. A fruit but in other cases there is. For this study with such a strong aroma as this can be a fruit has been considered to have a beak keyed out from other less fragrant fruits if the stigmatic point ("nak") is on a later on the basis of this character alone. When al protuberance on a level with the apex or in this key a fruit is mentioned as having Sturrock and Wolfe — A Key To Florida Mango Varieties

PLATE I Fr 8- ve-ntra.t shoulder G- width C- stem K- be^lt D-dorsal skovtder I-depressionz^boye 3"- basal cavity FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 177

a decided aroma, this latter condition is beak or an inconspicuous one, may or may meant. When a fruit is mentioned as being not have a prominent nak." As our fruit "heart shaped'9 it does not refer to the has no beak we look for the directions after conventional "valentine" heart shape, hut to the second statement and thus move to the shape of an animal's heart (a chicken couplet No. 27. Couplet No. 27 has the heart for example) in which the base is statements, "Fruit with a prominent nak" broad and flattened, the ventral shoulder is and "Fruit with no nak or an inconspicuous fairly high and full, the apex is rounded, one." As our fruit has a very inconspicuous and the ventral sides slope in a fairly even nak we decide on the second statement and curve from the shoulder to the apex with move on to couplet No. 30. The statements out a noticeable depression. which we find in couplet No. 30 say, "Fruit This key is grouped in pairs. A pair of with many fibers, turpentine flavor, poor contrasting characters is given and each quality, smaller than four inches long" and time a question is to be settled, one of these "Fruit with few or no fibers (or longer characters is accepted as being true while than four inches) and of fairly good qual the other is discarded as being false. The ity." As the second statement better fits instruction after the true statement is fol our fruits we proceed to couplet No. 31 lowed and another pair of contrasting char where we find the statements, "Fruit elon acters is then under consideration. The pro gated, almost 1% times as long as it is cedure for using the key may best be ex wide" and "Fruit chunky, about as wide as plained by taking an example. Suppose we it is long." As our fruit is fairly chunky we have a Haden mango which we do not accept the second statement and move on recognise, but we have this key by which we to couplet No. 33. Under couplet No. 33 want to trace it down. We take the key we find the statements "Fruit rounded and r4ad couplet No. 1 which gives two through shoulder" and "Fruit with definite statements: "Length of fruit 1% times its lateral compression." Our fruit is rounded width or shorter" and "Length of fruit through the shoulder and has no lateral greater than 1% times its width." Upon compression so we take the first statement examination of our fruit we find that it is as being true. Our instructions tell us to less than 1% times its width, therefore it proceed to couplet No. 34 where we find the will agree with the first statement in couplet statements "Fruit greater than four inches" No. 1. After this true statement we find and "Fruit less than four inches long." the number "2"; we therefore move on to Our fruit is greater than four inches long couplet No. 2 which also has two statements therefore we take the first statement as be "Fruit much shorter than its width" and ing true. Instead of finding a number after "Fruit as long as it is wide or longer." this statement as being true, we find the We accept the second statement as being notation "Haden." This means that the true and move on to couplet No. 3, which we fruit which we have been "keying-out" is a are referred to after our true statement. Haden. Variety descriptions may be found Couplet No. 3 also has two statements, in Popenoe's "Manual of Tropical and Sub "Fruit yellow or green when ripe, showing tropical Fruits" for many of the old stand no red" and "Fruit with some red or pink ard varieties, and in the 1942 Proceedings in color when ripe." As the Haden (our of this Society for several new ones. These sample) has a definite color we accept the will serve as a check on the correctness of second statement as being the one to follow the determination. and move on to couplet No. 19, following In some cases a character is rather arbi- the directions after this statement. Couplet tary, as in the case of color. Fruit grown No. 19 has the following choices: "Fruit in the shade may develop no red color while with a definite beak" and "Fruit with no on the same tree fruit hanging in the sun 178 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY will have a, nice red blush. In these cases 7.5 to 10.5 cm., width 7.5 to 9.0 cm., the key will include both possibilities, so that thickness 6.2 to 7.5 cm., base flattened; whichever choice is made, the correct solu shoulders about equally developed; apex: tion may be reached. broadly rounded, the curve ending in a Two new variety names are proposed, and pointed beak which is hardly above the apex descriptions of them follow here. In addi level; nak inconspicuous on tip of beak; sur tion it may be noted that Earle is very face smooth, orange-yellow without blush, similar to Cecil, but is slightly larger, lighter with' many small white dots; flesh firm, in color and perhaps better in quality; while golden yellow; mild and sweet in flavor; Martin is a Sandersha seedling of large size fiberless; quality very good; stone slightly better for cooking than for table use, beaked; seed filling stone, polyembronic. rather triangular in shape and slightly fib Midseason. The variety looks like a large Amini, and has the pronounced aroma of rous. Edward that parent. Origin — Presumably one of the series of Key to Mango Varieties Commonly crosses made between Haden and Carabao Grown In Florida by the late Edward Simmonds about 1928. —based on characters of the fruit alone It has been grown in the Palm Beach' area 1 Length of fruit 1% times its width or to a limited extent under the name "Sim shorter —- 2. . monds X," but this name is liable to con 1. Length of fruit greater than \Vz times fusion with the variety Simmonds. its width — 37. Description — Form oblong, fairly plump; 2 Fruit much shorter than its width — size medium to large, weight 370 to 480 g., Itamaraca. length 10.0 to 12.5 cm., width 7.5 to 10 cm., 2 Fruit as long as it is wide or longer thickness 6.0 to 9.0 cm.; base rounded, the — 3. rather slender stem inserted obliquely in a 3 Fruit yellow or green when ripe, show-: basal depression with radiating grooves; ing no red — 4. ventral shoulder higher and fuller than dor 3 Fruit with some red or pink color sal; apex rounded, without beak, the nak when ripe —-19. small but prominent about 2.5 cm., above 4 Fruit with a definite beak — 5. the apex; surface smooth, orange yellow 4 Fruit with no beak or an inconspicuous with a light pink blush in the sun, and with one (may or may not have a prominent numerous greenish-brown dots; flesh golden nak) — 9. . yellow, firm and meaty, moderately juicy, 5 Fruit greater than five inches long fiberless except next the seed, of mild, pleas — 6. ing flavor; quality very good; seed filling 5 Fruit less than five inches long — 7. only upper third of the stone, monoem- 6 Fruit lumpy with uneven skin, early to bryonic. Midseason. mid-season maturing — Langra Benarsi. Samini 6 Fruit with a smooth even skin, late Origin — This is another of Mr. Sim maturing — Gola. monds' crosses from hand pollination, this 7 Fruit oblong, beak recurved — Toto- time of a Saigon seedling with Amini. fari. Hitherto it has been known as "Saigon x 7 Fruit chunky to squarish, beak -even Amini," and this cumbersome name is here with apex (or slightly higher), not recurv reduced to "Samini." It has been propaga ed— 8. « ted somewhat in the Palm Beach area. 8 Fruit with a very pronounced aroma Description ■— Form oval to subreniform, — Samini. with marked lateral compression; size small 8 Fruit with a slight aroma — Pakeri. to" medium, weight 225 to 375 g., length 9 Fruit with a conspicuous nak — 10.. FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 179

9 Fruit with an unconspicuous nak — 14. 21 Fruit with very little or no fiber — 10 Fruit heart-shaped with a broad base Totof ari. ' and shortened broadly rounded apex, nak 22 Fruit greater than 4% inches long, about an inch up the ventral side of the ventral side bulged to make fruit triangular, fruit from the apex — 11. both shoulders tapering rapidly from stem 10 Fruit tapering more to the apex, nak — Martin. a fairly pointed protuberance less than three- 22 Fruit less than 4 % inches long, one fourths of an inch above apex — 12. or both shoulders as high as or higher than 11 Nak on a stubby protuberance — point of stem attachment — 23. Mulgoba. 23 Fruit chunky with broafl base, dark 11 Nak on rounded bump about one inch red color, stem on raised button — Borsha. above apex or in depression below bump 23 Fruit laterally compressed — 24. — 18. 24 Fruit almost rectangular; irregular 12 Fruit laterally compressed, greenish and angular in appearance — Julie. to butter-yellow skin — Cambodiana. 24 Fruit almost sub-reniform in shape, 12 Fruit thick and rounded through the gracefully curved — 25. shoulders, deep to golden-yellow skin — 13. 25 Fruit with a very pronounced aroma 13 Apex of fruit pointed, characteristic — Amini. cryptic markings prominent on the skin — 25 Fruit with only slight aroma or none Simmonds. — 26. 13 Apex of fruit rounded, and blunt, 26 Fruit greenish-yellow to light yellow above markings lacking — Edward. with a ruddy blush oil exposed cheek, sur 14 Fruit greater than four inches long face dull — Paheri. — 15. 26 Fruit a rich golden yellow, well cov 14 Fruit less than four inches long — ered with a ruddy bright crimson-red blush, 16. surface shiny as though polished or waxed 15 Fruit oblong in shape — Brooks. —Zili. 15 Fruit heart-shaped and covered with 27 Fruit with an inconspicuous nak — large white spots when ripe — Singapur. 27 Fruit with' an unconspicuous nak — 16 Fruit very fibrous and of poor quality 30. — 17. 28 Fruit heart-shaped and chunky with 16 Fruit fiberless or moderately fibrous, a broadly rounded apex — 29. good quality — 18. 28 Fruit elongated with a rounded or 17 Fruit with a strong turpentine taste medium pointed apex 13. — Peach. 29 Fruit with many long fibers, turpen 17 Fruit with little or no turpentine tine flavor, poor quality — Peach. taste — Apple. 29 Fruit lacking fibers, no turpentine 18 Fruit butter- to golden-yellow, fibrous flavor, excellent quality — Mulgoba. — Bombay Yellow. 30 Fruit with many fibers, turpentine 18 Fruit creamy to greenish-yellow, fib flavor, poor quality, smaller than four inches erless — Bennett. long — Peach. 19 Fruit with a definite beak — 20. 30 Fruit with few or no fibers (or long 19 Fruit with no beak or an inconspicu er than four inches) and of fairly good ous one (may or may not have a prominent quality — 31. nak) _ 27. 31 Fruit elongated, almost 1% times 20 Fruit oblong to elongate in shape — as long as it is wide — 32. 21. 31 Fruit chunky, about as wide as it is 20 Fruit chunky to squarish — 22. long. — 33. 21 Fruit very fibrous — Number 11. 32 Fruit orange-yellow in color with a 180 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY light crimson blush, early maturing Fra- 40 Greatest curvature of ventral side al most half way down from base, ventral g ranee. shoulder even with point of stem attach 32 Fruit greenish to bright yellow with' ment, exposed cheek with only a pinkish a pinkish-red blush if in the sun, late ma blush at the most — Totofari. turing — Brooks. 40 Greatest curvature of the ventral side 33 Fruit rounded through shoulders — almost one third distance down from base, 34. ventral shoulder as high as or higher than 33 Fruit laterally compressed — 30. point of stem attachment, exposed cheek 34 Fruit greater than four inches long with a crimson or garnet red blush —- — Haden. Ameeri. 34 Fruit less than four inches long — 41 Fruit with a conspicuous nak — 42. 36. 41 Fruit with an inconspicuous nak — 35 Rounded base, bright yellow color 44. with a crixnson blush — Fernando*. 42 Fruit fairly wide through shoulder 35 Broadly flattened base, greenish to — Cambodiana. creamy-yellow color with rarely a small 42 Fruit narrow through shoulder — 43. dull red blush on exposed cheek.—Bennett. 43 Light yellow skin with creamy yellow 36 Broad ventral shoulder with' a proun- flesh — Earle. ced depression above apex — Fai«an«o». 43 Butter- to golden-yellow skin and 36 Ventral side tapering in an even flesh — Cecil. slope to the apex — Fatcell. 44 Stem on raised button — 45. 37 Fruit with a definite beak — 38. 44 Stem level or sunken — 45. 37 Fruit with no beak or an inconspicu 45 Fruit dark red on exposed side and ous one (may or may not have a promi covered with large white dots when ripe, nent nak) — 41. early to mid-season — Springfels. 38 Fruit broad and plump with undulat 45 Fruit yellow to yellow-green when ing skin — Langra Benarti. ripe, sometimes with a crimson blush, small 38 Fruit narrow or recurved with smooth white dots, late — Brooks. 46 Ventral shoulder rising slightly above skin — 39. 39 Both shoulders of the fruit taper stem attachment and falling rapidly but still ing rapidly from stem — Sandortha, fuller than dorsal «-— Thora. 39 One or both shoulders as high as or 46 Ventral shoulder definitely higher than higher than the point of stem attachment stem attachment and full with an even — 40. curve — Ameeri.