Mangifera caesia Jack ex Wall. (RAJAMRA)

The term rajamra is not observed from the brhat trayi works.  It must be a variety of mango which is brought from outside.  But, during nighantu period we come across its description right from dhanvantari ighantu.  In dhanvantari nighantu four different types of amra were quoted viz., amra (M. indica), ksudramra (Spondias trujuga), rajamra (Mangifera caesia) and amrataka (Spondias pinnata).  Apart from M. indica there are several other Mango species which are known for their edible usage. Author proposes Mangifera caesia as rajamra however, the other species also needs to be explored further. Dhanvantari nighantu and kaiyadeva nighantu have quoted tanka as ‘rajamra’ or ‘nilakapitta’ or ‘rajaputra’.  Rajamra and tanka are together known as tankayugma in Dhanvantari nighantu.  It is important to note that tanka term is not used by madanpala in his work.  Probably, he used amrtaphala to denote tanka while rajamra is a Mangifera species.

Some of the important species are :

Mangifera caesia – Mango relative often cultivated in southeast Asia. Fruit is similar in size and shape to the mango, flavor is acid-sweet, resembling a mango-pineapple mixture. Skin is often brown, flesh is yellow-white. Large tree up to 150ft tall. Native to lowland areas of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Mangifera caloneura – Wild forest mango of southeast Asia. Fruit is small and yellow, with mango shape and texture. Huge tree grows wild in lowland tropical forests.Native to Myanmar/Burma.

Mangifera cochinchinensis – Wild forest mango of Thailand and Vietnam. Fruit is small, acidic, and of good flavor.Native to Southern Thailand and Vietnam.

Mangifera foetida (Horse Mango) – Large fruit very similar in appearance to the mango. Flesh quality varies highly, from turpentine scented to sweet and juicy. Large tree from 60-80ft high. Tropical, not as hardy as the mango. Native to Malaysia and Indonesia.

Mangifera pajang (Membangan) – Rare, wild mango, sometimes with highly aromatic flesh. Cultural information is unstudied. Very rare tree native to Northern and Western areas of Borneo. Occasionally cultivated in its native area.

Mangifera pentandra Wild forest mango of Malaysia. Fruit is small, green-yellow, with orange pulp having a sweet flavor. Native to Northern Malaysia.