This compact fruit tree is the ‘Cogshall’ Mango, Mangifera indica ‘Cogshall’. It belongs to the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, along with cashew and pistachio. The mango species itself originated in southern Asia, but ‘Cogshall’ is a cultivar selected in Florida for its attractive fruit and manageable growth habit.

Unlike some mango trees that become very large, ‘Cogshall’ tends to remain relatively compact. That makes it especially suitable for home gardens and smaller landscapes, where a full-sized mango tree might eventually require too much space.

The leaves are long, narrow and leathery. Fresh growth often emerges in shades of red, bronze or copper before gradually becoming dark green. When crushed, the leaves may release a resinous scent characteristic of mango trees.

The flowers appear in large, branching clusters called panicles. Each cluster contains many tiny cream, yellowish or pink-tinged flowers, although only a small proportion will eventually develop into fruit. The flowers are visited by flies, bees and other insects that assist with pollination.

The fruits are usually medium-sized and oblong, often weighing roughly 10 to 16 ounces. They begin green and develop yellow, orange and red coloring as they mature, sometimes becoming particularly attractive on the tree.

Inside is soft, sweet orange flesh surrounding one large, flattened seed. ‘Cogshall’ is appreciated for its rich flavor and relatively low fiber content. Its skin is fairly thin and its flesh soft, qualities that make it enjoyable to eat but less suitable for long-distance commercial shipping.

In Florida, it is generally considered an early- to midseason mango, often ripening from late spring into midsummer. Here in the Caribbean, the exact flowering and fruiting season may shift with rainfall, temperature and local growing conditions.

Like other mangoes, the fruit should be handled thoughtfully. The sap in the skin and stem contains compounds related to those found in poison ivy and may irritate sensitive skin, although the peeled ripe flesh is widely enjoyed as food.

The ‘Cogshall’ Mango is therefore a good example of how people shape plants through selection. It retains the lush foliage, fragrant flowers and delicious fruit of a traditional mango tree, but packages them in a smaller form that is easier to grow and harvest.

When the tree is carrying fruit, its green, yellow and red mangoes can make it look almost decorated—while also providing one of the tropics’ most celebrated fruits.