Mango vs. Espavel: Cultivated and Wild Anacardiaceae

While both mango and espavel belong to the Anacardiaceae (cashew) family, they occupy completely different ecological niches in Costa Rica. Mango is the familiar cultivated fruit tree found in gardens and farms, while espavel is a majestic native forest giant that towers over riverbanks. Despite their family relationship, these trees are easy to distinguish once you know what to look for.

Mango

Espavel

---

Side-by-Side Comparison

---

Detailed Comparison Table

| Feature | Mango (Mangifera indica) | Espavel (Anacardium excelsum) | | ----------------------- | -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | Tree Type | Cultivated fruit tree | Wild rainforest emergent | | Height | 15-30 m (occasionally 40 m) | 40-50 m (up to 60 m) | | Trunk Features | Straight trunk, no buttresses | Massive buttress roots 3-5 m high | | Trunk Diameter | 50-100 cm | Up to 200-300 cm | | Crown Shape | Dense, rounded, symmetrical | Spreading, emergent above canopy | | Typical Habitat | Gardens, farms, urban areas | Riverbanks, lowland rainforests | | Fruit Type | Single drupe (traditional mango) | Cashew-like: nut + fleshy "apple" | | Fruit Size | 10-25 cm long, single fruit | Nut 2-3 cm + cashew apple 5-8 cm | | Edible Part | Flesh around seed | Roasted nut (raw nuts toxic!) | | Leaf Size | 15-30 cm long, 2-8 cm wide | 15-30 cm long, 8-15 cm wide | | Leaf Shape | Lanceolate, pointed tip | Obovate to elliptic, broader | | Leaf Color | Dark green (reddish when new) | Bright to dark green | | Bark | Rough, dark gray-brown, fissured | Gray to brown, smooth to slightly fissured | | Flowering Season | December-March | November-January | | Fruiting Season | April-August | December-March | | Origin | Southeast Asia (introduced) | Native (Honduras to Ecuador) | | Common Setting | Plantations, gardens, urban streets | Wild riverbanks, protected forests | | Conservation Status | Least Concern (widely cultivated) | Least Concern (but habitat-dependent) | | Wildlife Value | Moderate (fruit bats, birds eat fruit) | Very high (critical food source for wildlife) | | Wood Quality | Not typically used for timber | Light, soft, limited timber use |

---

Key Identification Features

1. Tree Size & Structure (Most Diagnostic!)

Mango:

• Medium-sized tree: 15-30 m tall (occasionally to 40 m)
• NO buttress roots - straight single trunk
• Dense, rounded, symmetrical crown
• Trunk diameter: 50-100 cm
• Cultivated appearance - well-maintained, often pruned
• Typically found in open areas, gardens, farms

Espavel:

• Forest giant: 40-50 m tall (up to 60 m!)
• MASSIVE buttress roots extending 3-5 m up trunk and several meters outward
• Emergent crown towers above rainforest canopy
• Trunk diameter: Up to 200-300 cm
• Wild, natural appearance - unpruned, impressive stature
• Grows along rivers and streams in lowland forests

2. Habitat & Location

Mango:

• Cultivated settings: Gardens, yards, farms, plantations
• Urban areas: Streets, parks, landscaping
• Elevation: Sea level to 1,200 m (tolerates various conditions)
• Soil: Adaptable - grows in many soil types
• Location: Full sun, open areas
• Human association: Always near human habitation

Espavel:

• Wild forests: Primary and secondary rainforests
• Riparian zones: Along rivers, streams, floodplains
• Elevation: 0-800 m (lowland forests only)
• Soil: Alluvial soils, seasonally flooded areas
• Location: Deep forest, riverbanks
• Human association: Remote forests, protected areas

3. Fruit Structure

Mango:

• Single large drupe - the familiar mango fruit
• Oval to kidney-shaped, 10-25 cm long
• Hangs from stem on panicle
• Colors: Green, yellow, orange, red (various cultivars)
• Flesh surrounds large flat seed
• Seed NOT eaten
• Sweet, aromatic flesh eaten fresh

Espavel:

• Cashew-like double structure: Fleshy "apple" + hard nut
• Cashew apple: Yellow-orange, 5-8 cm, swollen receptacle
• Nut: Kidney-shaped, 2-3 cm, attached at BASE of apple
• Apple is edible but not commonly eaten
• Nut is edible ONLY when properly roasted
• Raw nuts contain urushiol (toxic!)
• Important wildlife food source

4. Leaves

Mango:

• Lanceolate to oblong shape
• 15-30 cm long, 2-8 cm wide (narrow)
• Pointed tip (acuminate)
• Dark green above, lighter below
• Reddish or bronze when young, turning dark green
• Strong mango scent when crushed
• Alternate arrangement in clusters

Espavel:

• Obovate to elliptic shape
• 15-30 cm long, 8-15 cm wide (broader)
• Rounded to slightly pointed tip
• Bright to dark green
• Uniform green color (not reddish when new)
• Leathery texture, glossy above
• Simple, alternate, clustered at branch ends
• Briefly deciduous in dry season

5. Bark

Mango:

• Rough texture throughout
• Dark gray-brown color
• Deeply fissured on mature trees
• Resinous sap when damaged
• Consistent appearance

Espavel:

• Gray to brown, relatively smooth
• Becomes slightly fissured with age
• Lighter colored than mango
• Less deeply fissured
• Latex contains irritating compounds

---

Urushiol Warning - Both Trees Have It!

Mango Urushiol Exposure

• Location: Highest in peel and sap
• Fruit flesh: Generally safe to eat
• Sap contact: Can cause skin rash in sensitive people
• "Mango mouth": Rash from eating unpeeled fruit
• Risk level: Moderate - most people tolerate mangoes

Espavel Urushiol Exposure

• Raw nut shell: Contains urushiol (like cashew)
• Sap/bark: Contains irritating compounds
• Roasting required: Nuts must be roasted to destroy toxins
• Cashew apple: Generally safe
• Risk level: Moderate to high if handling raw nuts

Safety Guidelines

1. Wear gloves when harvesting either species
2. Peel mangoes carefully - avoid skin contact with peel
3. NEVER eat raw Espavel nuts - roasting required
4. Wash hands after handling either tree
5. Sensitive individuals: Extra caution with both species
6. Cross-reactivity: If allergic to cashews, avoid Espavel nuts

---

When Confusion Might Occur

Situations Where They Might Be Confused:

1. Young cultivated Espavel: Occasionally planted as an ornamental (rare)
2. Large old Mangoes: Can appear massive but still lack buttresses
3. Anacardiaceae family knowledge: "Oh, they're related!" doesn't mean they look alike

Easy Ways to Tell Them Apart:

1. Check for buttress roots - Only Espavel has them
2. Look at habitat - Cultivated garden vs. wild riverbank
3. Measure tree height - Espavel towers above mango
4. Examine fruit structure - Single mango vs. cashew-like structure
5. Consider location - Urban/farm vs. deep forest

---

Ecological & Cultural Roles

Mango

Ecological Role:

• Moderate wildlife value (fruit bats, birds eat fruit)
• Provides shade in agroforestry systems
• Widely cultivated for commercial fruit production

Cultural Importance:

• Beloved fruit tree throughout Costa Rica
• Important cash crop for small farmers
• Cultural significance in Asian and tropical regions
• Street tree in many towns and cities

Uses:

• Fresh fruit consumption (most important)
• Processed products (dried, juice, preserves)
• Wood occasionally used for crafts
• Shade and ornamental value

Espavel

Ecological Role:

• Keystone species in riparian forests
• Critical food source for wildlife (agoutis, squirrels, birds, monkeys)
• Massive trees provide habitat for epiphytes and wildlife
• Buttress roots prevent riverbank erosion
• Emergent canopy provides nesting sites

Cultural Importance:

• Traditional food source (roasted nuts)
• Sacred to some indigenous communities
• Important indicator of healthy riparian ecosystems
• Symbol of old-growth forest

Uses:

• Edible nuts (traditional food)
• Limited timber use (wood is soft)
• Watershed protection (erosion control)
• Wildlife habitat conservation
• Ecotourism value (impressive trees attract visitors)

---

Quick Visual ID Guide

See Massive Buttress Roots?

• YES → Espavel (only Espavel has huge buttresses)
• NO → Continue checking

Where is the Tree Growing?

• Garden/Farm/Urban → Likely Mango
• Wild Riverbank/Forest → Likely Espavel

What's the Tree Height?

• 15-30 m with dense crown → Likely Mango
• 40-50 m towering above canopy → Definitely Espavel

What Type of Fruit?

• Single large mango fruit → Mango
• Cashew-like nut + apple → Espavel

---

Summary: Key Differences at a Glance

---

Related Comparisons

• Mango vs. Marañón - Compare mango with its closer relative, the cultivated cashew
• Espavel species page - Learn more about this rainforest giant
• Mango species page - Explore the cultivated mango in detail

---

Conclusion

While mango and espavel share membership in the Anacardiaceae family and both contain urushiol compounds, they are remarkably different trees occupying completely different niches:

Choose Mango if you're looking at:

• A cultivated fruit tree in a garden or farm
• A medium-sized tree with a dense rounded crown
• A tree with NO buttress roots
• A tree producing familiar mango fruits

Choose Espavel if you're looking at:

• A towering forest giant along a riverbank
• One of the tallest trees around with emergent crown
• A tree with MASSIVE triangular buttress roots
• A tree producing cashew-like fruits (nut + apple)

The most reliable field test: Look for buttresses! If you see massive buttress roots extending several meters from the base, you're looking at an Espavel. Mango never develops buttresses.