Lancetilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangifera 'Lancetilla' |
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Display of a 'Lancetilla' mango at the Redland Summer Fruit Festival, Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead, Florida
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| Genus | Mangifera |
| Hybrid parentage | 'Saigon' × 'Mulgoba' |
| Cultivar | 'Lancetilla' |
| Breeder | Wilson Popenoe |
| Origin | Honduras |
The Lancetilla mango is a special type of mango. It's known for its large size and sweet taste. This popular fruit first came from Honduras.
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Discovering the Lancetilla Mango
The first Lancetilla mango tree grew in Honduras. A plant expert named Wilson Popenoe helped create it. He grew the tree on his land in a place called Lancetilla.
How the Lancetilla Mango Started
Scientists believe the Lancetilla mango is a mix of two other mango types. These are the Saigon and Mulgoba mangoes. Wilson Popenoe likely crossed these two types. This created the new and unique Lancetilla variety.
Bringing Lancetilla to Florida
The Lancetilla mango was later brought to the South Florida area in the United States. It became very popular at a mango festival in 2001. This festival was held at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. People liked it because it tasted great and resisted diseases well. Now, you can find Lancetilla mango trees in many plant stores in Florida.
A Lancetilla tree is also planted at the Redland Fruit & Spice Park. This park is in Homestead, Florida.
What Makes Lancetilla Special?
Lancetilla mangoes are quite big when they are ready to eat. They usually weigh about 2 pounds. Some can even weigh as much as 5 pounds!
Look and Taste of the Fruit
The skin of a Lancetilla mango is a bright red color. The fruit has a long, flat, oval shape. Inside, the flesh is a bright lemon yellow. It is completely smooth, with no stringy fibers. This mango is known for its very sweet flavor. It has one large seed inside.
When to Find Lancetilla Mangoes
In Florida, Lancetilla mangoes are usually ready to pick from August to September. This makes them a "late season" mango.
Growing the Tree
Lancetilla mango trees can be kept fairly small. With regular trimming, they can stay around 10 feet tall. This makes them a good choice for people who want to grow mangoes in their yard.
