The original Ngowe tree (so it is believed) was brought from Zanzibar and planted on Lamu approximately 106 years ago. This typical coastal cultivar variety, type, also known as Lamu mango, can now be found all along the coastline and has also adapted well to medium altitude locations.
Ngowe is the most easily recognized of the local mango fruits. It is large, oblong longer than broad and slender with a very prominent hook-like beak a pointed projection at the tip of a fruit at the apex tip of shoot. From pale green, the fruit develops to a most attractive yellow to orange colour when ripe. The deep yellow flesh is of excellent quality, virtually free from fibre, melting, and carries no turpentine taste. The average fruit length measures 14 cm with a width of 9.5 cm, and a weight range of 425–600 g (mean: 523 g). The seeds are polyembryonic mode for reproduction: contains more than one embryo; produces true-to-type progeny which means progeny a plant’s ‘offspring’ develops more or less true-to-type.
The trees are comparatively small and round in shape. Depending on location, harvesting may start in November and continue until March. Yields are medium and alternate bearing may occur.
Advantages:
good to excellent fruit quality
moderate tree size
good shipper
seed propagation possible (polyembryonic)
Disadvantages:
susceptible not resistant to powdery mildew
tendency of alternate bearing