Mangifera foetida

Mangifera foetida, also known as Bachang, is native to Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. It belongs to the plant family of Anacardiaceae. This tree is also a heritage tree in MacRitchie Reservoir Park.

A large tree, it has a straight trunk and can grow up to 35 m tall. The bark is light brown to dark greyish-brown, containing whitish sap or latex which will turn black on exposure. The sap is an irritant which may inflame the lips and mouth. The crown is dense with dark green foliage and massive branches. The leaves are oval in shape, dark green colour above and light green below. 

The flowers are reddish-pink and scentless. The fruit is very similar in appearance to the mango. The skin is a dull dark olive-green or yellowish-green. The flesh is orange-yellow or yellow, fibrous, sweet and juicy with a very strong turpentine-like smell. Ripe Bachang fruit is usually eaten fresh. Young fruits contain juice that can irritate, and must be soaked and washed in salt water before it can be used for flavouring, or for making chutney and salad.

Look out for the Mangifera foetida at the hilltop of Macritchie Reservoir Park next to the building. The tree was nominated as a Heritage Tree serving  as important green landmarks of our Tropical Garden City.

Pictures

 

(Mangifera foetida found on the hilltop of MacRitchie Park Reservoir)

  

                                                   

(The bark is light brown to dark greyish-brown, containing whitish sap or latex which will turn black on exposure)

  (Dense with dark green foliage and massive branches)

 

(The tree was nominated as a Heritage Tree serving  as important green landmarks of our Tropical Garden City)