Saigon (mango) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangifera 'Saigon' |
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'Saigon' mangoes on display at the 15th Annual International Mango Festival at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Florida, United States
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| Genus | Mangifera |
| Species | Mangifera indica |
| Cultivar | 'Saigon' |
| Origin | Vietnam |
The Saigon mango is a special type of mango. It grew from seeds that came to the United States from Southeast Asia. This mango is known for its delicious fruit.
Contents
How the Saigon Mango Came to Be
Journey to America
In 1902, seeds of the Saigon mango were sent to the United States. They came from a place then called Saigon in Cochinchina, which is now part of Vietnam. These seeds were planted in Miami, Florida. They were grown at a special plant station run by the USDA. The USDA helps farmers and makes sure our food is safe.
A Good Discovery
Edward Simmonds was in charge of the plant station. He watched the new mango trees grow. He found that the fruit from these trees was very good!
Many Kinds of Saigon Mangoes
Most Saigon mango trees grew true from their seeds. This means the new trees were very much like the parent tree. But some trees were a little different. So, the name 'Saigon' actually covers a few different types of mangoes.
Helping Create New Mangoes
Because the Saigon mango was so good, it was used in special growing projects. Edward Simmonds used it to create new mango types. For example, he crossed a Saigon mango with an Indian mango called 'Amini'. The new mango they created was named 'Samini'.
The Saigon mango also helped create other famous mangoes in Florida. One of these is the Florigon mango. Its name is a mix of "Florida" and "Saigon." Some people also believe the Saigon mango is a parent of the popular 'Glenn' mango.
Today, you can find Saigon mango trees in special plant collections. These include the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami. They are also at the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center. These places help keep many different plant types safe for the future.
What Does a Saigon Mango Look Like?
Fruit Features
Saigon mangoes are usually oval or egg-shaped. They often have a pointy tip and a small bump on the side. Each fruit weighs less than a pound when it's ready to eat. The skin can be green or yellow. Sometimes, it might have a light pink blush.
The inside of the mango is yellow. It's very smooth because it has no fibers. It tastes mildly sweet and has a nice smell. The seed inside a Saigon mango is special. It can grow more than one plant from a single seed! In Florida, these mangoes are usually ready to pick in June and July.
Tree Characteristics
Saigon mango trees grow very strongly. They become medium-sized trees. Their branches spread out, making an open and rounded shape.
