Springfels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangifera 'Springfels' |
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Springfels mangoes at the Redland Summer Fruit Festival, Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead, Florida
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| Genus | Mangifera |
| Species | Mangifera indica |
| Hybrid parentage | 'Haden' x unknown |
| Cultivar | 'Springfels' |
| Breeder | Charles F. Springfels |
| Origin | Florida, USA |
The Springfels mango is a special type of mango that grows very large. It first came from south Florida and is grown to be sold in stores.
Contents
Discovering the Springfels Mango
How the Springfels Mango Began
The story of the Springfels mango starts with a man named Charles F. Springfels. He was from Germany and had a jewelry business in New York. When he wasn't feeling well, he moved to Florida. There, he started trying out new things with plants.
In 1919, Charles Springfels planted a mango seed at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida. Six years later, in 1925, the tree grew its first fruits!
A New Kind of Mango
These new mangoes were huge, sometimes weighing several pounds. People liked how they tasted, and they were also good for shipping to other places. This meant they could be a great new fruit for businesses to sell.
It's believed that the Springfels mango grew from a seed of another famous mango called the Haden mango. Scientists looked at its family tree in 2005 and found this was likely true.
Sharing the Springfels Mango
When the Springfels mango first appeared, there weren't many other mango types available besides the Haden. Charles Springfels worked hard to tell everyone about his new fruit. He even sent some mangoes to the White House in 1939!
Some farms started growing Springfels mangoes in 1930. However, as more new types of mangoes came out, the Springfels didn't become as popular. One problem was that the fruit sometimes ripened unevenly. Even so, you can still find Springfels mango trees for sale in Florida today, though on a smaller scale.
Where Springfels Trees Grow Today
You can find Springfels mango trees in important plant collections. These include the USDA's plant collection in Miami, Florida, and the University of Florida's research center in Homestead, Florida. The Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead also has them. The very first Springfels mango tree, planted in 1919, is still standing in West Palm Beach!
What Does a Springfels Mango Look Like?
Size and Appearance
The Springfels mango is shaped like an oval, with a rounded top and bottom. It's known for being very big, usually weighing over a pound. Some Springfels mangoes can even grow to an amazing 4 pounds!
The skin of the fruit is a bit bumpy. Its colors are similar to the Haden mango, with a yellow background and a red blush.
Inside the Fruit
When you cut open a Springfels mango, you'll find yellow flesh inside. It tastes sweet and has a nice smell. There are very few fibers, which makes it pleasant to eat. The seed inside is usually monoembryonic, meaning it grows only one plant from one seed.
These mangoes typically ripen in Florida during July and August.
The Springfels Mango Tree
The Springfels mango tree grows at a medium speed. It has branches that spread out, forming a compact, rounded shape. These trees usually don't grow taller than 20 feet.
