Artocarpus integer

Artocarpus integer
Scientific name	Artocarpus integer
Common names	cempedak, chempedak
Genus	Artocarpus
Family	Moraceae
Order	Rosales
Fruit type	Multiple fruit
Growth form	Large evergreen fruit tree
Native range	Tropical Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern Thailand
Climate and site	Humid lowland tropical; warm and frost-free
Mature size	Large tree; size varies with site and management
Propagation	Seed; clonal propagation and grafting for selected trees
Years to fruit	About 3–6 years from seed; about 2–4 years for clonal trees, variable

Cempedak is an evergreen Southeast Asian fruit tree in the breadfruit and jackfruit family, Moraceae. The accepted name is *Artocarpus integer* (Thunb.) Merr.; cempedak and chempedak are the main English spellings. It is a distinct species from jackfruit (*A. heterophyllus*) and breadfruit (*A. altilis*), even though the fruits and cultivation settings overlap.^[1]

Description

Cempedak tree and foliage. Photo by Hariadhi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The tree produces cauliflorous or trunk- and branch-borne fruiting structures typical of the genus. Ripe cempedak is generally softer, more aromatic, and often darker-fleshed than jackfruit, but cultivar variation is substantial. The species should be identified from the whole plant and fruit rather than from a market name alone.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Cempedak is native to humid tropical Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern Thailand. It is associated with lowland forest, secondary vegetation, and wet hillsides. The humid lowland context is more dependable than a single elevation limit, which varies among source accounts.^[3]

Cultivation

Choose deep, fertile soil with good drainage. Sources report preference for acidic, well-drained ground while also noting tolerance of periodic flooding; that does not justify planting in permanently stagnant water. Young plants benefit from some shade during establishment, whereas mature trees need increasing light and room for a large crown.

Soil and water

A deep, organic, well-drained soil is the safest general recommendation. Moisture should be maintained through establishment and active growth, but excess water should be allowed to drain. Periodic wetness is not the same as continuously anaerobic soil.

Sun and humidity

The species fits warm, humid lowland conditions. Give young plants protection from severe exposure, then move toward full sun as the canopy develops. High humidity and airflow are both useful; no precise humidity target is established here.

Seasonal changes

Flowering is regional. Southern Malaysian reports include February–April and August–October flowering, while western Java commonly reports July–August. Treat these as local calendars, not a universal schedule. Irrigation should follow local wet and dry periods, and frost protection is essential outside the humid tropics.^[4]

Propagation

Seed is used, but seedlings vary in fruiting time and quality. Clonal propagation or grafting is preferred when a known selection must be preserved. Reported bearing ages are approximately 3–6 years from seed and 2–4 years for clonal trees, with substantial variation from cultivar, rootstock, climate, and management; these are not guarantees.[4]

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

Cempedak fruiting material. Photo by W.A. Djatmiko (Wie146), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The species is cauliflorous and can flower at more than one time of year in some regions. Harvest timing follows the local flowering flush and the fruit's mature aroma, color, and softening. Do not transfer jackfruit harvest dates or bearing schedules to cempedak without a source naming this species.[2]

Fruit and uses

Ripe arils are eaten fresh or cooked. Unripe fruit is used as a vegetable in some regional cuisines; cooked seeds are also documented as food. Fermented inner-skin preparations are reported in parts of Kalimantan. Food preparation is region-specific, so the article should not generalize one local preparation as universal practice.[3]

Photos

References

• ↑ [1] Kew, Plants of the World Online: Artocarpus integer.

• ↑ [2] Origin and diversity of an underutilized fruit tree crop, cempedak (Artocarpus integer).

• ↑ [3] CABI Compendium: Artocarpus integer.

• ↑ [4] Useful Tropical Plants: Artocarpus integer.

Image credits

• Artocarpus integer Fruit and Tree.JPG — Tu7uh, CC BY 3.0.
• Artocarpus integer.jpg — Hariadhi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
• Arto integer F 070203 ime.JPG — W.A. Djatmiko (Wie146), CC BY-SA 3.0.