Tag: Anacardiaceae

Over 800 species belong to the Anacardiaceae family, also known as the sumac or cashew family. This botanical classification contains a surprising and diverse group of plants, including many edible fruits and nuts as well as notoriously toxic plants.

According to the Poison Information Centre of Queensland, Australia, the "sea mango" (*Cerbera manghas*) is a deadly poisonous tree, while the common edible mango (*Mangifera indica*) is generally safe. The question of is there a poisonous mango can be answered by differentiating between the two very different species.

Despite a common misconception, cashews are not members of the nightshade family. This evergreen tree, native to northeastern Brazil, belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, also known as the sumac or cashew family, which also includes mangoes and pistachios.

Over 5,000 years ago, the first mangoes were cultivated in India, a lineage completely separate from the melon family. Despite some similar uses and sweet profiles, a mango is not a melon, and understanding their botanical classifications reveals key differences.