Van Dyke (mango) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangifera 'Van Dyke' |
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Van Dyke 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 | 'Van Dyke' |
| Origin | Florida, US |
The Van Dyke mango is a special type of mango. It is known as a 'cultivar', which means it's a specific variety of mango. This tasty fruit first grew in south Florida, USA.
Contents
The Story of the Van Dyke Mango
The first Van Dyke mango tree started from a seed. It was likely planted in the 1930s. This happened on the property of Mrs. Madeline Van Dyke in Miami, Florida. For many years, no one knew which mango trees were its parents. But in 2005, scientists studied its family tree. They found that a mango called 'Haden' was probably one of its parents.
The tree began to grow fruit in the 1940s. People soon realized this mango was special. By the 1950s, it was being grown more widely. A nursery called Flagg Brothers sold hundreds of these young trees by 1955. That same year, the Van Dyke mango was shown to experts. They wanted to see how good it was.
Why the Van Dyke Mango Became Popular
The Van Dyke mango quickly became famous. People loved its bright color and delicious taste. In the 1960s, farmers started growing it for sale. This grew even more in the next 20 years.
However, it wasn't perfect for growing everywhere. In Florida, the fruit was a bit small. It also sometimes had problems inside. But the Van Dyke mango found great success in other places. It was sent to Brazil and eastern Africa. From there, it was exported to Europe. People in Europe really enjoyed this mango!
Today, you can still buy Van Dyke mango trees. Many people in Florida plant them in their gardens. It's also grown on a small scale for selling. You can find Van Dyke trees in important plant collections. These include the USDA in Miami. They are also at the University of Florida's Tropical Research Center. And you can see them at the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park.
What Does a Van Dyke Mango Look Like?
The Van Dyke mango has a unique shape. It's usually oval, like an egg. The bottom is round, and the top is a bit pointy. Most of them have a small bump on the side. Each mango usually weighs less than one pound.
Colors and Flavors of the Fruit
The skin of the Van Dyke mango is smooth and yellow. It often has a beautiful bright red blush. This makes it look very appealing. Inside, the fruit is yellow. It has very little stringy fiber. The taste is rich and sweet. It also has a wonderful smell.
The seed inside is called 'monoembryonic'. This means it usually grows only one plant from each seed. In Florida, these mangoes are ready to eat from June to July. The trees usually produce a lot of fruit. The Van Dyke mango is also good at fighting off some plant diseases.
The Van Dyke Mango Tree
The tree itself grows quite well. It has an open shape, with branches spreading out. This makes it a lovely tree for gardens.
