Ford (mango) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangifera 'Ford' |
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A display of Ford mango at the Redland Summer Fruit Festival, Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead, Florida
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| Genus | Mangifera |
| Species | Mangifera indica |
| Hybrid parentage | 'Tommy Atkins' × unknown |
| Cultivar | 'Ford' |
| Origin | Florida, USA |
The Ford mango is a special type of mango that first grew in south Florida, USA. It's known by its unique name, 'Ford'.
Contents
All About the Ford Mango
Where Did It Come From?
For a long time, no one knew exactly where the Ford mango came from. But in 2005, scientists did a special study. This study looked at the mango's "family tree," like a DNA test for plants. They found out that the Ford mango likely grew from a seed of another well-known mango called the Tommy Atkins.
Why Isn't It Popular?
Even though it's a named mango, the Ford mango never became very popular. It wasn't grown much by farmers to sell in stores. It also wasn't a favorite for people to plant in their backyards. This was mainly because the fruit often cracked open while it was still on the tree. Also, many people didn't think it tasted as good as other mango types.
Where Can You Find Ford Mango Trees?
Even though it's not widely grown, you can still find Ford mango trees in special plant collections. These collections help to save different types of plants. You can find them at the USDA's plant storage in Miami, Florida. They are also at the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, Florida. And you can see them at the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park, which is also in Homestead. These places help scientists study and protect different fruit varieties.
What Does the Fruit Look Like?
The Ford mango fruit can grow to be quite large. Each mango can weigh anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds when it's fully grown.
