Paho
Mangifera altissima

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 12-35 m tall or taller. The trunk is 35-80 cm across or wider. The small branches are angular with prominent leaf scars. The leaves are long and narrow and pointed at both ends or wedge shaped at the base. They are 15-43 cm long by 2-11 cm wide. They are rough. They are dark green above. The flowers are small and white. They have a smell. They are produced in large numbers on branched compound flowers. The veins are net like. The leaf stalk is 1.5-5 cm long. The flowers stalks are crowded near the ends of the twigs. They are 10-25 cm long. The flowers are creamy-white. They occur in groups of 4-5 on side branches. The fruit are 5 to 8 cm long and 4 to 6 cm wide. They are shaped like a mango and are smooth, green and sticky. They turn yellow as they ripen. The flesh is white and fibrous. The stone is 4.5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide and 1 cm thick.

There are about 40-60 Mangifera species. An unresolved name in The Plant List.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow in the humid tropics. It can grow up to 400 m altitude. It does best in places with a wet and dry season. They are common in the forests from Luzon to southern Mindanao in the Philippines.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to make pickles or mixed with vegetables. The immature fruit are also eaten fresh. Ripe fruit are used to prepare marmalade. The seeds are salted and pounded to prepare an edible meal.

It is grown in backyards and fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are usually grown from seed. They can be grown by cleft grafting.

A fruit can weigh about 40 g. Fruit can be harvested about 70 days from flowering. They ripen in 6 days. In the Philippines plants fruit December to January.

Its other names

Local names

Bissap, Boeja, Karmesan, Medang kok, Membacang, Paho, Pahu, Pahutan, Pangamangaen, Pao, Poliok, Wa wa, Waromet, Wel mango, Wommie

Synonyms

Mangifera rumphii Pierre; Buchanania reticulata Elmer; Mangifera merrilli Mukherji;