Julie (mango) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangifera 'Julie' |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Genus | Mangifera |
| Species | Mangifera indica |
| Cultivar | 'Julie' |
The Julie mango is a special kind of mango. It's also known as Saint Julian. This delicious fruit became very popular in the Caribbean islands.
Contents
Discovering the Julie Mango
The exact beginning of the Julie mango is a bit of a mystery. Scientists have studied its genes to learn more. They think it might have come to the Caribbean from an island called Réunion. It probably arrived through Jamaica and Trinidad.
Why Julie Mangoes Are Special
People quickly loved the Julie mango for two main reasons. First, it has an amazing flavor. Second, the trees stay small, which is great for gardens.
A person named Lawrence Zill brought the Julie mango to the United States. He was a nurseryman in south Florida. He was famous for creating new types of mangoes. Many mango varieties in Florida came from the Julie mango. These include 'Sophie Fry', 'Gary', and 'Carrie'. The 'Graham' mango from Trinidad also came from Julie.
Challenges and Popularity
The Julie mango tree had some trouble growing in Florida. The weather there is very humid, which means it's often wet and sticky. This made the trees get fungus easily. Because of this, farmers couldn't grow Julie mangoes in large amounts to sell.
However, people still wanted to grow them at home. So, nurseries kept selling Julie mango trees for home gardens. It's still a very popular mango in the West Indies. Many people there call it the 'Saint Julian' mango.
Where Julie Mangoes Are Kept
Scientists keep Julie mango trees in special collections. These collections help protect different types of plants. You can find Julie trees at the USDA in Miami, Florida. They are also at the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center. Another place is the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park.
What Does a Julie Mango Look Like?
The Julie mango fruit is usually small. It weighs less than one pound when it's ready to eat. The skin is green, but it can have a pretty red blush. The fruit has a unique shape. It's oval, but one side is a bit flat.
Inside the Fruit
The inside of the Julie mango is juicy. It's not stringy like some other mangoes. The flesh is a deep orange color. It has a very rich and delicious taste. Inside, there's one seed. In Florida, Julie mangoes are usually ready to eat from June to July.
About the Julie Mango Tree
The Julie mango tree is famous for staying small. It grows very slowly. In South Florida, it can stay around 10 feet tall without needing much trimming. But in the Caribbean, some Julie mango trees are over 30 feet tall!
Special Recognition
The government of the United States Virgin Islands made the Julie mango very special. They passed a law saying it was the "Virgin Islands Fruit of Choice."
