Mangos (Mangifera indica), tropical natives, originate in southern Asia, Burma and eastern India. This evergreen fruit tree grows well in drier locations of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. Flowers and fruit die in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while young trees suffer damage below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Mature trees tolerate short periods of exposure at 25 degrees Fahrenheit without any major damage. The best varieties to grow in coastal areas are cold-adapted cultivars.

Trees

Mango trees reach more than 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide in their native habitats. Most trees grown in the U.S. remain around 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. The canopy of a mango tree is broad and round, making it a suitable shade tree. These tropical fruit trees tolerate poor, shallow soil, but grow best when there is room to develop a 20-foot-deep taproot. These trees can grow to be 300 years old and still produce fruit.

Leaves            

Mango leaves appear reddish or purplish when newly grown. Eventually the leaves mature to a dark green color with a pale underside. The large leaves reach 4 to 12 1/2 inches long and up to 2 inches wide. Each new flush of growth appears in clusters on the branches with bare patches in between.

Flowers     

Mango flowers cluster together in long panicles of up to 2,000 tiny blossoms. The yellowish or reddish flowers appear at the branch ends in late winter or early spring. Occasionally the blooms last throughout the summer.

Fruits     

Mango trees produce fruit in frost-free areas where the cold does not kill off the fruit. The mangos appear at the branch ends when the flowers finish blooming. In ideal conditions, mangos reach 9 inches long and weigh up to 2 pounds. The oval fruit is covered in reddish or yellowish skin, which hides the pale yellow or orange flesh. Mangos taste like peaches or strawberries with a strong floral scent. The most flavorful fruit are the ones ripened on the tree. Mangos ripen within four to five months after flowering. Over-ripe mango fruit produces a turpentine taste.

Evaluative Measure:

Directions: Label the parts of the tree shown below. Fill-in the blocks to form the correct word.

Directions: Complete the concept map below,write down some important facts about the mango tree.

http://www.animated-gifs.eu/alphabet-pj-patrick/index.php

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/star/gifs/circles8.GIF