AMERICAN GARDENER

Alphonso mangoes belong to the species Mangifera indica, a member of the Anacardiaceae family, which also includes cashews and pistachios. This evergreen tree is native to South Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. The Alphonso cultivar, known scientifically as Mangifera indica ‘Alphonso,’ is a specific variety prized … Read more

Gala apples are classified as Malus domestica, a species within the Rosaceae family, which includes other pome fruits such as pears, cherries, and quinces. The genus Malus encompasses all domesticated apple cultivars, and Gala is a specific variety resulting from a controlled cross between Kidd’s Orange Red and Golden Delicious. Developed for its dessert qualities, … Read more

Honeycrisp apples are classified as Malus domestica, a species within the Rosaceae family, which includes other pome fruits like pears, cherries, and plums. The genus Malus encompasses all domesticated apple cultivars, and Honeycrisp is a modern variety developed through controlled cross-breeding. Introduced by the University of Minnesota, its parentage includes Honeygold (a Golden Delicious cross) … Read more

Pink Lady apples are classified as Malus domestica, a species within the Rosaceae family, which includes other pome fruits like pears, cherries, and roses. The genus Malus encompasses all domesticated apple cultivars, and Pink Lady is a specific variety, officially named ‘Cripps Pink’ after its creator. It’s a hybrid resulting from a cross between Lady … Read more

The Fuji apple is classified as Malus domestica, a species within the Rosaceae family, which includes other pome fruits like pears, cherries, and roses. The genus Malus encompasses all domesticated apple cultivars, and Fuji is a specific variety developed through intentional cross-breeding rather than a wild species or hybrid genus. It’s a result of crossing … Read more

Ambrosia apples are classified as Malus domestica, a species within the Rosaceae family, which includes other pome fruits like pears, quinces, and roses. The genus Malus encompasses all apples, with M. domestica representing the domesticated cultivars grown worldwide. Ambrosia is a modern variety, not a hybrid species but a cultivar derived from natural cross-pollination. Its … Read more

The Ugli fruit (Citrus reticulata × Citrus paradisi) is a hybrid citrus fruit that belongs to the Rutaceae family. It is a cross between a tangerine (Citrus reticulata), an orange (Citrus sinensis), and a grapefruit (Citrus paradisi). Genetically, it shares characteristics of all three, making it a distinctive member of the citrus genus (Citrus). Despite … Read more

Sapodilla, scientifically known as Manilkara zapota, belongs to the Sapotaceae family, a group of tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs that includes species like mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) and shea (Vitellaria paradoxa). Within the plant kingdom (Plantae), it falls under the phylum Tracheophyta (vascular plants), class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons), and order Ericales. The genus Manilkara comprises … Read more

Boysenberry is classified botanically as Rubus ursinus × Rubus idaeus, a hybrid within the Rosaceae family, which encompasses roses, apples, and other berries like raspberries and blackberries. It’s part of the genus Rubus, subgenus Rubus (formerly Eubatus), alongside species like Rubus fruticosus (blackberry) and Rubus idaeus (red raspberry). As a polyploid hybrid, it inherits traits … Read more

Starfruit, scientifically known as Averrhoa carambola, belongs to the Oxalidaceae family, commonly referred to as the wood sorrel family. This family includes other notable species like Averrhoa bilimbi (bilimbi or tree cucumber) and various herbaceous sorrels (Oxalis spp.). Within the plant kingdom (Plantae), it falls under the phylum Tracheophyta (vascular plants), class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons), and … Read more