Kemang
Mangifera kemanga
Family: Anacardiaceae
What it is like
Mangifera kemanga or Kemang is a tropical, large tree native to Southeast Asia. It is deciduous and with a dome-shaped canopy. It reaches a height of 30 m upon maturity. The leaves have very short stalks. The yellowish-brown, pear-shaped fruit is fibrous and juicy, and has a strong flavor. Young leaves are consumed raw or cooked. The seed can be grated and used in dishes.
Mangifera kemanga is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 30
Where it is found
Rather rare in forests, being found more frequently in periodically inundated areas and marshes.
Southeast Asia - Indonesia.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Fruit. The very juicy, very fibrous, copious white pulp has a strong flavour that some find agreeable and others offensive. Kemang fruit is eaten fresh when ripe, or used for home-made juice. It is used unripe to make 'rujak', a dish of sliced green fruit covered with a spicy sauce. A drink make from the juice with sugar, ice and a pinch of coffee powder is highly esteemed. The yellowish-brown fruit is pear-shaped, containing a single, large seed. Young leaves - raw or cooked. They are commonly eaten in 'lalab', a dish of fresh leafy vegetables to accompany rice. Occasionally a dish is made from fresh, grated seeds, with fermented soya beans and spices. The grated seed has been used to prepare the sambal kemang, with the addition of chili and salt.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
A plant of the wet, tropical lowlands, where it is usually found at elevations below 400 metres, but rarely up to 800 metres. It requires a rainfall which is evenly distributed through the year. The plant stands inundation well and is commonly cultivated on periodically inundated riverbanks in East Kalimantan. Mature trees require much space, 12 - 16 metres each way being typical. Natural hybrids between Mangifera kemanga and Mangifera caesia, showing intermediate characteristics, are found in orchards in East Kalimantan.
Propagating it: Seed - It is propagated from seed, an indication that the agronomy of the crops has received little attention. Presumably grafting on seedling stock would be possible, in particular through inarching potted, decapitated rootstocks into twigs of mother trees. Grafting on Mangifera indica L. has been attempted without success, probably because this species is not closely related.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Unlike the related Mangifera caesia, the sap of this species does not cause skin irritations or blisters.
Its other names
Local names
Kemang, Palong,