Sparrow’s mango (Buchanania arborescens, Mus. Bot. 1: 183 (1850))

Family: Anacardiaceae

Author: (Blume) Blume

Bibliography: Mus. Bot. 1: 183 (1850)

Year: 1850

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Buchanania

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Taiwan, Trop. Asia to N. Australia

Description

Sparrow’s mango, scientifically known as Buchanania arborescens, is a plant of notable interest with a fascinating distribution and characteristics. Identified and named by Blume in his 1850 publication in Mus. Bot., this species is a member of the extensive Anacardiaceae family, which includes a variety of both economically and ecologically significant plants.

Native to a vast geographical range, Sparrow’s mango is typically found in the subtropical and tropical regions of Southern Taiwan, extending across Tropical Asia and reaching as far as Northern Australia. This broad dispersal underscores the plant’s adaptability to different environmental conditions, ranging from the humid tropics to more temperate climates.

Buchanania arborescens features prominently in the ecosystems where it thrives, often contributing to the biodiversity and ecological balance of its habitats. Owing to its common name, Sparrow’s mango, it can be inferred that the plant possibly bears fruit or other characteristics attractive to avian species, thus playing a role in local food webs.

The family Anacardiaceae, to which this plant belongs, is known for encompassing species with significant agricultural and medicinal value. Members of this family often produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including resin canals, which can be beneficial or protective in nature.

In conclusion, Sparrow’s mango is a distinguished species within the Anacardiaceae family, esteemed for its wide distribution and ecological contributions. The historical documentation by Blume has allowed for greater understanding and study of this versatile plant, highlighting its importance within both natural ecosystems and botanical sciences.

Common Names

Msa: otak udang tumpul, katak udang, otak udang, pauh pipit, terentang tikus, tumpul
Eng: sparrow’s mango
En: Sparrow’s Mango
Ms: Otak udang tumpul, Katak Udang, Otak Udang, Pauh Pipit, Terentang Tikus, Tumpul

Synonyms

• Buchanania longifolia (Span.)
• Buchanania versteeghii (Merr. & L.M.Perry)
• Buchanania palembanica (Blume)
• Buchanania lucida (Blume)
• Buchanania papuana (C.T.White)
• Buchanania petiolaris (Miq.)
• Coniogeton arborescens (Blume)
• Buchanania bancana (Miq.)
• Buchanania florida var. attopeuensis (Pierre)
• Buchanania florida var. cumingii (Engl.)
• Buchanania florida var. dongnaiensis (Pierre)
• Buchanania arborescens var. obovata (Blume)
• Buchanania florida var. lucida ((Blume) Engl.)
• Buchanania solomonensis (Merr. & L.M.Perry)
• Buchanania florida var. arborescens (Engl.)
• Buchanania subobovata (Griff.)
• Buchanania glaberrima (Ridl.)
• Lauro-cerasus laurifolia ((Decne.) M.Roem.)
• Buchanania scandens (Lauterb.)
• Buchanania monticola (Kaneh. & Hatus.)
• Buchanania nabirensis (Kaneh. & Hatus.)
• Buchanania novohibernica (Lauterb.)
• Buchanania lucida var. polembanica ((Blume) Miq.)
• Buchanania intermedia (Wight)
• Buchanania lucida var. laxiflora (Ridl.)
• Buchanania decandra (Blanco)
• Buchanania muelleri (Engl.)
• Buchanania attopeuensis ((Pierre) Tardieu)
• Buchanania polybotrya (Miq.)
• Buchanania pseudoflorida (G.Perkins)
• Buchanania florida var. petiolaris ((Miq.) Engl.)
• Buchanania platyphylla (Merr.)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Vietnam (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Mar 1, 2020 by Noel Dionson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Prithvijit (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 5, 2019 by Noel Dionson (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 1, 2020 by Noel Dionson (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5544059)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:69275-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Buchanania arborescens (Blume) Blume)

Specifications

Growth