Cogshall Mango

Scientific name: Mangifera indica “Cogshall”

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 53.29″ N, 64° 49′ 50.95″ W

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Medicinal Uses

Mangifera indica (mango) is a versatile medicinal plant, with all parts—fruit, leaves, bark, flowers, roots, and seeds—used in traditional systems like Ayurveda for conditions from diarrhea, diabetes, and inflammation to wounds, heart issues, and skin ailments, leveraging properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and digestive aid. Leaves help with diabetes and cough, bark treats rheumatism and ulcers, flowers purify blood, and ripe fruit acts as a tonic and laxative, while seeds address diarrhea and parasites, highlighting its broad therapeutic potential. 

Uses by Plant Part

  • Leaves: Infused for diabetes, blood sugar control, coughs, burns, diarrhea, and as a contraceptive.
  • Bark: Astringent for diphtheria, rheumatism, ulcers, and syphilis; believed to tone mucous membranes.
  • Flowers: Used for purifying blood, treating gastric issues, anorexia, diarrhea, ulcers, and as a styptic for bleeding.
  • Fruit (Ripe): Invigorating, restorative tonic for heat stroke, laxative, aphrodisiac, and helps with anemia.
  • Fruit (Unripe): Antacid, digestive, carminative, and used for ophthalmia and dysentery.
  • Seed/Kernel: Powdered for chronic diarrhea, asthma, diabetes, parasites (helminthiasis), hemorrhoids, and as a uterine tonic.
  • Gum/Resin: Applied to cracked feet, scabies, and wounds. 

Key Medicinal Properties & Actions

  • Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: Rich in polyphenols like mangiferin, fighting oxidative stress.
  • Digestive: Unripe fruit is carminative; kernels are astringent for diarrhea; ripe fruit is a laxative.
  • Antidiabetic: Leaves and bark help manage blood sugar.
  • Anticancer Potential: Preliminary studies show effects against certain cancer cells (breast, lung, etc.).
  • Cardioprotective: Ripe fruit and seed kernel support heart health.
  • Wound Healing: Bark, gum, and seed extracts can aid in wound repair and stop bleeding. 

Important Considerations

  • While traditional uses are extensive, many findings are from preliminary studies; clinical trials are needed.
  • Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for safe and effective use, especially for serious conditions.

Observations:

Phenological Markers: Mangifera indica ‘Cogshall’ (Cogshall Mango)

Scientific Name: Mangifera indica ‘Cogshall’
Common Name: Cogshall Mango
Family: Anacardiaceae (Cashew family)
Cultivar Origin: Originally from Florida, USA
Status in the Virgin Islands: Introduced cultivar; occasionally found in private gardens and tropical orchards

🌳 Tree Characteristics

  • Height: Typically maintained at 3–4.5 meters (10–15 feet) with pruning
  • Growth Habit: Compact, upright tree with symmetrical, dense foliage
  • Leaves: Long, leathery, and lanceolate; reddish when young, maturing to dark green
  • Flowers: Tiny, pinkish-white flowers borne in large, branched panicles
  • Fruit: Oval to oblong mango with smooth yellow skin blushed red when ripe; fiberless flesh, deep orange, rich and sweet flavor

📆 Phenological Markers

Spring (March–May)

  • Flowering Peak: Profuse panicle flowering begins in early spring; each panicle bears hundreds of tiny flowers
  • Pollination: High insect activity (especially bees and flies) during flowering
  • Leaf Flush: Young reddish leaves emerge and mature to green, often during or just after flowering

Summer (June–August)

  • Fruit Development: Small green fruits set and begin rapid growth
  • Fruit Ripening: Ripening typically occurs mid to late summer; fruit turns yellow-red and becomes fragrant
  • Harvest Period: Usually July–August in the Caribbean; fruits ripen gradually over several weeks

Fall (September–November)

  • Post-Harvest Recovery: Leaf growth may continue; little flowering or fruit activity
  • Canopy Management: Ideal time for light pruning to maintain shape and encourage airflow

Winter (December–February)

  • Dormant Phase: Slower growth; minimal flowering except in warm winters
  • Pre-Bloom Activity: Bud swell may begin toward late February in early-flowering years

👁️ Observation Tips

  • Young Leaves: Easily visible due to bright red color; good indicator of active growth phase
  • Flowers: Observe flower panicles for color changes, insect visitors, and early fruit set
  • Fruit Signs: Watch for subtle color change from green to yellow or red as ripening begins; sniff for sweet aroma near harvest
  • Mature Fruit Drop: Ripe fruits often fall naturally—check under canopy during peak season

🌿 Ecological and Cultural Notes

  • Ecological Role:
    • Provides nectar for bees and other pollinators
    • Offers dense foliage for bird nesting and shade
  • Cultural/Edible Use:
    • Highly prized for its fiberless, sweet, aromatic fruit
    • Suitable for home gardens due to compact growth and excellent fruit quality
    • Often eaten fresh, in chutneys, or frozen for smoothies

⚠️ Cultivation & Conservation Notes

  • Disease Susceptibility: Generally more resistant to anthracnose than other mangoes, but still vulnerable to fungal issues in humid areas
  • Care: Benefits from pruning and airflow management; prefers full sun and well-drained soils
  • Propagation: Usually propagated by grafting to preserve cultivar traits

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