Mangifera caesia

Mangifera caesia
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Anacardiaceae
Genus:	Mangifera
Species:	M. caesia
Binomial name
Mangifera caesia Jack ex Wall.

Mangifera caesia is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. Common names include Jack, Malaysian Mango, Binjai (Malay language), Wani (Balinese language), yaa-lam (Thai language), and bayuno (Filipino language). It belongs to the same genus as the mango and is widely cultivated in areas of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, Kerala and the Philippines.

Plant description

These are restricted to lowlands about 400m to 800m, requires rainfall. It is found rare in forests and abundant in marshy places. Grows up to 30 m (100 ft) tall with a dense crown of round-shaped leaves. The flowers are purple or pink, 0.7 cm long with five sepals. The fruit is a large, edible, elliptical drupe 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long and 6–8 cm (2–3 in) wide. The skin is thin and brown with darker patches, and the flesh is yellow-white, mushy, and strongly odorous with an acid-sweet or sour taste. The Binjai is believed to originate from the island of Borneo, but is commonly grown elsewhere for its edible fruit. The tree is one of the most common and valuable Mangifera species in western Malaysia, where it is cultivated extensively in orchards. It is also widely grown in Bali, Sumatra, and Borneo.

Reproduction

This tree produces thousand of fruits, ripening three months after anthesis. The fruit matures during the rainy season, this is a deciduous, stands erect and bare before shedding large bud scales that envelops twigs and inflorscence.

Propagation method

It is propagated from seeds. Grafting on the seedling stock is also possible through inarching potted the rootstock will then become twigs of mother trees. Mature tree can also be planted but it requires huge space that is 12 to 16m each way.

Used in dishes

The fruit can be eaten dipped in chili and dark soy sauce. It is excellent ingredient for the creamy juices, also for making spice base for chillies sambal which is eaten with river fish. it can also be used in making pickles The wood is used for light construction. Binjai is almost always propagated by seed. It is a possible candidate for wider cultivation in the future.

Nutritional value

The following is the nutritional value of binjai fruit per 100 grams that is Water 86.5g, Protein 1g, Fats 0.2g, Carbohydrates including fibers 11.9g, Ash 0.4g, Thiamine 0.08 mg, Beta-carotene 0.005 mg and Vitamin C 58 mg.

Total Energy 200kJ/100g.

As poison

White juice of the immature binjai fruit is poison and is thus very irritant on skin as well when ingested. It has been used to kill enemies. A lot of care is needed when harvesting and the labourers should protect themselves using gloves and by covering the entire body.

External links

• http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/products/afdbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=18087
• http://www.fruitipedia.com/binjai_mangifera_caesia.htm
• http://www.pgrforum.org/Documents/Conference_posters/Campbell.pdf
• http://floraofsingapore.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/mangifera-caesia/

References

• Kwan, TY. "Sightings: A Mysterious Tree Bears Fruit". Green Dot Internet Services. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
• "IUCN Red List - Mangifera caesia". International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resourcesitritr. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
• "Anacardiaceae". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
• "Flora of Anacardiaceae". Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2012-03-03.