Mangga Kasturi Mascot South Kalimantan is almost extinct

Mango kasturi, The Mascot of South Kalimantan has been established as one of the "extinct in the Wild" plants. This means Kasturi, one of the mango species that became the identity flora of South Kalimantan province has been extinct from its natural habitat.

The casturi in scientific language (latin) called Mangifera casturi, is one of about 31 species of mango that can be found in Borneo, Indonesia. In fact, mangoes in English other than called kasturi also called Kalimantan Mango is a plant endemic Kalimantan. Unfortunately, the IUCN redlist labeled it Extinct in the Wild or extinct from its original habitat.

Mangifera casturi has a tree that can reach 25 meters high with a trunk diameter between 40-110 cm. The kasturi bark is grayish white to light brown. Leaf-shaped lanceolate with a pointed tip. When young leaf kasturi dark purple. Fruit kasturi like other mangoes but smaller in size weighing less than 80 grams.

There are 3 varieties of kasturi namely kasturi, cuban, and asem pelambisan. Kasturi has rounded fruits like small mangoes, thin green skin with black bottles when young and blackish when old. Fruit dark orange fruit. This variety has a more fragrant aroma than other varieties.

The second variety, cuban (kastuba) has egg-rounded fruits, with reddish-colored fruit skin, does not become black when old, its fruit peel is very easily separated from its flesh. The fruit flesh is orange yellow.While the third variety, the slime or palipisan acid has a pale, flat, pale green fruit with black totol, if old keeps green. The flesh is orange-green in color yellow, fibrous.

Mango species designated as the identity flora of South Kalimantan province based on the decision of the Minister of Home Affairs. 48 years 1989 This is an endemic plant that only grows in South Kalimantan alone. Kasturi can grow well in low altitudes on adequate alluvial and lateral soils of water.

Kasturi (Mangifera casturi) by IUCN Redlist is listed in Extinct in the Wild or extinct in the wild (extinct in situ) since 1998. The extinction of the species is caused by habitat destruction due to deforestation and forest encroachment.

Fortunately there are still cultivating these plants in the gardens and yard of the house. The cultivation by the inhabitants is mostly done in Mataraman sub-district, Banjar district, South Kalimantan province. Even these mangoes have also been planted in some other areas.

Although still not extinct and still cultivated but Extinct in the Wild status is certainly a big loss for the genetic diversity of Indonesian flora. Hopefully the status of this castle is not followed by other plants (and animals).

Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Plantae; Phylum: Tracheophyta; Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Sapindales; Family: Anacardiaceae; Genus: Mangifera; Species: Mangifera casturi (Kosterm) 

Tweet