Kuweni (Mangifera odorata)

Kuweni (Mangifera odorata) is a plant species in the Anacardiaceae family. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching heights of up to 20 meters, with a rounded or broadly ovoid crown and a straight main trunk. The bark is gray and contains a sap that can cause irritation. The tree thrives in tropical regions at elevations between 0 and 1,000 meters, where rainfall is high and evenly distributed throughout the year.

The leaves are simple and arranged irregularly along thick twigs. They are oblong-lanceolate in shape, measuring 12–35 cm in length and 4–10 cm in width, with a texture ranging from leathery to papery. The leaf margins are not wavy, and the tips are shortly acuminate. The venation is reticulate (net-like) and prominent, especially on the underside; the leaves are odorless or nearly odorless when crushed. The petioles are 3–7 cm long with a swollen base.

The inflorescence is a terminal panicle, pyramidal in shape and 15–50 cm long, bearing a dense cluster of flowers. The axis of the inflorescence is yellowish-green with a reddish-brown tinge. The flowers are 5- to 6-merous, approximately 6 mm wide, and fragrant. The sepals are ovoid, 3–4 mm long, and reddish-brown or partially green in color.

The petals are lanceolate, 5–6 mm long and 1.2–2 mm wide; they are yellowish at the base and fade to a pale, bright red toward the tips. The petals curve backward and feature 3–5 longitudinal ridges extending about two-thirds of their length, which are fused at the base and transition from pale yellow to dark red. There are 5–6 stamens, only one of which is fertile, with filaments 5 mm long; the staminodes are 1.5–2 mm long. The ovary is nearly spherical and yellowish, with an eccentrically positioned style that is 3–5 mm long and dark red in color.

The fruit is a drupe, oblong-ellipsoid and slightly asymmetrical in shape, barely flattened, 10–13 cm long and 6–9 cm wide. It ranges in color from green to yellowish-green and is marked with small, dark-brown lenticels. The peel is 3–4 mm thick. The flesh is orange-yellow, firm, and fibrous; it has a sweet-and-sour, juicy flavor, with a pungent, turpentine-like aroma and taste. The seed is enclosed in a hard shell—measuring 8–10 cm x 4.5–5 cm x 2.5–3 cm—and is covered in relatively soft fibers. The seeds are often polyembryonic.

The fresh fruit can be eaten raw or used in beverages, though the thick peel must first be removed, as it contains a bitter-tasting sap. The fruit, which has a fragrant aroma, is also processed into asinan (brined/pickled fruit). The seeds can be ground into flour and used to make snacks. The tree's bark is used in traditional medicine, while the wood is utilized for construction and the manufacture of household items.

Approximately 70% of the fruit is edible. Per 100 grams, the fruit contains 80 g of water, 0.9 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, 18.5 g of carbohydrates (including fiber), 0.6 g of ash, 0.36 mg of β-carotene equivalent, 0.04 mg of thiamine, 0.06 mg of riboflavin, 0.7 mg of niacin, and 13 mg of vitamin C. Its energy value is 290 kJ/100 g.

TAXON

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Subfamily: Anacardioideae
Genus: Mangifera Griff. in Not. Pl. Asiat. 4: 417 (1854)
Species: Mangifera odorata Griff. in Not. Pl. Asiat. 4: 417 (1854)

HOMOTYPIC SYNONYMS

Mangifera foetida var. odorata (Griff.) Pierre in Fl. Forest. Cochinch. 4: t. 365B (1897)

HETEROTYPIC SYNONYMS

Mangifera foetida var. bakkill Miq. in Fl. Ned. Ind. 1(2): 632 (1859)
Mangifera foetida var. blumei Pierre (1897)
Mangifera foetida var. bombom Blume in Mus. Bot. 1: 199 (1850)
Mangifera foetida var. kawini Blume (1850)
Mangifera foetida var. mollis Blume (1850)
Mangifera oblongifolia Hook.f. in Fl. Brit. India 2: 16 (1876)
Mangifera odorata var. pubescens Engl. in A.L.P.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 4: 210 (1883)

PUBLICATIONS

Chayamarit, K. (2010). Flora of Thailand 10(3): 265-329. The Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department.

Fosberg, F.R., Sachet, M.-H., Oliver, R. (1979). A geographical checklist of the Micronesian Dicotyledonae. Micronesica; Journal of the College of Guam 15: 41-295.

George, A.S., Orchard, A.E. & Hewson, H.J. (eds.) (1993). Oceanic islands 2. Flora of Australia 50: 1-606. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Girmansyah, D. & al. (eds.) (2013). Flora of Bali an annotated checklist: 1-158. Herbarium Bogorensis, Indonesia.

Lê, T.C. (2003). Danh lục các loài thực vật Việt Nam 2: 1-1203. Hà Nội : Nhà xuất bản Nông nghiệp.

Nelson Sutherland, C.H. (2008). Catálogo de las plantes vasculares de Honduras. Espermatofitas: 1-1576. SERNA/Guaymuras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Newman, M., Ketphanh, S., Svengsuksa, B., Thomas, P., Sengdala, K., Lamxay, V. & Armstrong, K. (2007). A checklist of the vascular plants of Lao PDR: 1-394. Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.

Nurtjahya, E. & al. (2026). Flowering Plants of Bangka Island: Native and Introduced. Acta Botanica Hungarica 68: 127-156.

Turner, I.M. (1995). A catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Malaya. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 47(1): 1-346.

van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (ed.) (1974-1978). Flora Malesiana 8: 1-577. Noordhoff-Kolff N.V., Djakarta.

VERNACULAR NAME

Acèh: Kuwini
Bali: Weni, Wani, Kwéni
Banjar: Kuwini
Banyumas: Kwèni
Betawi: Kuweni, Kebembem
Bisaya: Huani, Uani
Cebu: Huani, Uani
Chinese (simplified): 如香杧果
Chinese (simplified): 香花杧果
Dutch: Kwini
English: Kuweni, Kwini, Kuwini, Kuini, Kwini jawa, Kuwini mango, Fragrant mango, Kweni mango, Saipan mango.
Filipino: Huani, Uani, Juani
French: Kuweni, Manguier odorant
German: Kwini, Wohlriechende Mango
Indonesia: Kuweni
Java: Kwèni, Kweni, Kuweni
Jolo: Juani
Kalimantan: Wani
Madura: Kabeni, Beni, Bine, Pao kabine
Malaysia: Kuini, Huani, Wani, Kuwini, Kwini
Maluku: Kuini, Guin, Koini, Kowini, Koine, Guawe stinki, Sitingki, Hitingki
Melayu: Kuini, Kuweni, Kweni, Asam membacang, Macang, Lekup
Minangkabau: Kuwini, Ambacang, Embacang, Lakuik
Portuguese: Manga-cheirosa, Manguita
Sabah: Huani, Wani
Sapuadi: Pao kaeni
Sasak: Paok perawe
Slovak: Mangovník voňavý
Sulawesi Utara: Mangga kuini
Sunda: Kaweni, Kawini, Bembem
Thai: กินนิง - มะม่วงชิงรีต - มะม่วงป่า - มะม่วงชิงฤทธิ์ - มะม่วงป่า Kinning, Mamuang chingreet, Mamuang paa, Mamuang-chingrit, Mamuang-pa

Aryo Bandoro
Dlium TheDlium
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