Keitt (mango)
Encyclopedia
The 'Keitt' mango is a late-season mango cultivar which originated in south Florida.
cultivar that was planted on the property of Mrs. J.N. Keitt in Homestead, Florida
in 1939. However, recent genetic analysis suggests 'Keitt' was actually a seedling of Brooks
, which would help explain its late-season ripening and large fruit size. The cultivar was selected and named in 1945, after which it quickly gained commercial nursery acceptance for its flavor, lack of fiber, and productivity. The fruit lacked color , however, and was much larger than most varieties, limiting it from becoming a widespread commercial staple. It did gain popularity among Florida home growers and remains one of the more widely planted trees in the state today.
'Keitt' trees are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida
, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park
, also in Homestead.
The fruit is comparatively large, some reaching up to several pounds in weight. They are of ovoid shape with a rounded apex lacking a beak. The skin color is typically green with some light red blush. The flesh is fiberless, tangy and sweet, with a monoembryonic seed. The fruit generally has good disease resistance, and typically ripens from August until September in Florida, often into October as well, making it one of the more valued late-season varieties.
History
'Keitt' was reportedly a seedling of the MulgobaMulgoba (mango)
The Mulgoba mango is a named mango cultivar that originated in India and was brought to the United States.- History :There is considerable speculation as to the origin of the Mulgoba variety. What is known is that Mulgoba was sent from India to the US in 1889 as part of a program to introduce...
cultivar that was planted on the property of Mrs. J.N. Keitt in Homestead, Florida
Homestead, Florida
Homestead is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States nestled between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. Homestead is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area....
in 1939. However, recent genetic analysis suggests 'Keitt' was actually a seedling of Brooks
Brooks (mango)
The Brooks' mango is a late-season commercial mango cultivar that originated in south Florida. It is a parent of several varieties from the state.- History :...
, which would help explain its late-season ripening and large fruit size. The cultivar was selected and named in 1945, after which it quickly gained commercial nursery acceptance for its flavor, lack of fiber, and productivity. The fruit lacked color , however, and was much larger than most varieties, limiting it from becoming a widespread commercial staple. It did gain popularity among Florida home growers and remains one of the more widely planted trees in the state today.
'Keitt' trees are planted in the collections of the USDA's germplasm repository in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, and the Miami-Dade Fruit and Spice Park
Fruit and Spice Park
The Fruit and Spice Park is a botanical garden in metropolitan Miami at 24801 SW 187 Avenue, located in the rural agricultural community of the Redland, Florida, United States.-Exhibits:...
, also in Homestead.
Description
The trees are a vigorous growers, but tends not to reach heights much over 20 feet. It has a low spreading habit that is not as compact as most other mango trees. Fruit production is relatively heavy and consistent.The fruit is comparatively large, some reaching up to several pounds in weight. They are of ovoid shape with a rounded apex lacking a beak. The skin color is typically green with some light red blush. The flesh is fiberless, tangy and sweet, with a monoembryonic seed. The fruit generally has good disease resistance, and typically ripens from August until September in Florida, often into October as well, making it one of the more valued late-season varieties.
External links
- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7827883500929791807 http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7827883500929791807 - video description of 'Keitt' by Dr. Jonathan Crane of the University of Florida.