Bambangan Fruit Plant (Mangifera pajang)

Bambangan – The Rare Mango Cousin of Borneo with Medicinal Mystique

A Native Wonder Rooted in the Deep Forests of Borneo

Common Name: Bambangan, Mombangan, Embawan
Botanical Name: Mangifera pajang

In the dense lowland rainforests of Borneo, a unique fruiting tree quietly thrives, revered by locals for generations. The Bambangan, scientifically known as Mangifera pajang, is not just another mango relative—it’s a culturally significant, medicinally rich, and ecologically important fruit tree that’s slowly making its way into tropical gardens through select nurseries like Veliyath Gardens.

This deciduous tropical tree, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, making its conservation and cultivation more important than ever. With a grand height potential of 15 to 33 meters, the Bambangan tree provides deep shade and a seasonal bounty of large, globe-like fruits with a distinctive flavor and powerful healing properties.

Where It's Loved and Known

While the Bambangan is endemic to Borneo, it also garners regional names and appreciation in:

• Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak): Called Bambangan, frequently found in wet markets and traditional kitchens

• Brunei: Known as Mambangan, a treasured part of rural diets

• Indonesia (Kalimantan): Locally referred to as Embawang, used in pickles and folk medicine

Taste and Culinary Appeal

The fruit of the Bambangan tree is large—reaching up to 20 cm in diameter—with a thick, leathery skin that peels away like a banana. Beneath the skin lies deep golden-yellow flesh, sweet and juicy, carrying a bold, resinous aroma and a sharp tang that mango lovers may find both surprising and delightful.

• Flavor Profile: A tropical mix of mango and wild herbs, rich, sweet, and slightly tangy

• Texture: Firm, fibrous flesh—delicious fresh or prepared

• Culinary Uses:

  • Eaten raw with salt and chili

  • Cooked into savory stews or sambals

  • Fermented or pickled into a famous traditional preserve

  • Juice extracted for health and refreshment

Rich in Healing Properties and Nutrients

What makes the Bambangan fruit particularly appealing is its scientifically proven health benefits, studied and confirmed by institutions such as Universiti Putra Malaysia. The juice, pulp, and even the skin have shown promise in:

• Antioxidant Activity: Protects cells from oxidative damage

• Anticancer Potential: Certain compounds show cytoprotective effects

• Antibacterial Properties: Aids in preventing infections

• Supports Heart Health: Traditionally used for blood pressure regulation

• High in Dietary Fiber: Excellent for digestion and metabolism

• Vitamin Rich: Contains Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and polyphenols

Regular consumption is believed to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and improve gastrointestinal wellness.

Cultural and Traditional Significance

To the indigenous communities of Borneo, the Bambangan tree is more than just a food source. It forms part of:

• Seasonal Festivals: The fruit is often gathered and shared during harvest celebrations

• Rural Kitchens: Used in traditional fermented dishes and as a side condiment

• Heirloom Remedies: Decoctions made from its bark or fruit are believed to treat gut ailments and fatigue

• Social Traditions: A symbol of bounty and wild abundance, often gifted during village visits

By planting a Bambangan tree, one embraces not only biodiversity but also heritage.

Growth and Care in Tropical Gardens

Veliyath Gardens is proud to introduce this rare, wild fruit tree into curated home gardens for preservation and appreciation.

• Bloom Time/Fruiting: 4 to 5 years

• Soil Type: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter

• Climate Requirement: Warm and humid with moderate rainfall

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• Maintenance: Moderate—regular watering during the dry season, and occasional pruning for shape

• Space Requirement: As a tall tree, it thrives best in open or large garden spaces

This is not a plant for a small balcony—it deserves the grandeur of a home orchard or a well-loved corner of a larger garden.

Preserving and Enjoying the Harvest

The fruits, once ripe, can be stored for a few days at room temperature or refrigerated for a slightly longer life. Some traditional methods include:

• Sun-drying slices for later use in cooking

• Fermenting with grated seed kernel for a pungent, sour pickle

• Blending fresh juice with honey and lime for a revitalizing tonic

Every part of the harvest can be used—nothing goes to waste.

Why You Should Act Quickly

Due to its unique nature and increasing popularity, the Bambangan Fruit Plant is currently in high demand at Veliyath Gardens. With limited propagation and growing awareness among tropical plant enthusiasts, the stock is expected to run out quickly.

If you’re someone who values rare, medicinal, and culturally rich plants, this is a must-have addition to your garden.

Add a Taste of Borneo to Your Garden Today

The Bambangan is more than a fruit. It’s a flavor, a tradition, a story—and now, it can be a part of your garden. Nurturing this tree is not just about harvesting fruit—it's about preserving heritage, embracing wellness, and celebrating the wild wisdom of nature.

Let the spirit of the Borneo forests root itself in your soil—only at Veliyath Gardens.