Mangifera indica Rajia
1909
Before grocery stores had global supply chains, the USDA relied on artists like Ellen Isham Schutt to document exotic fruits in stunning detail. Created in 1909, this realistic illustration shows the 'Rajia' mango, a variety brought to Miami by the legendary plant explorer David Fairchild. The top half displays the fruit's speckled, greenish-yellow skin, while the bottom reveals a massive, fibrous seed taking up most of the bright orange interior. It’s a beautiful mix of art and science that helped introduce new flavors to America.
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