Artocarpus altilis

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis; also known as breadfruit) is a Moraceae fruit plant grown for its fruit. The accepted scientific name is used as the canonical page title.

Artocarpus altilis fruit, flower, or plant habit. Wikimedia Commons file page.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis)
Scientific name	Artocarpus altilis
Genus	Artocarpus
Family	Moraceae
Order	Rosales
Growth and size	Evergreen tree; 10–25 m
Climate and site	Deep, fertile, moisture-retentive but drained soil; humid tropical climate
Propagation	Root cuttings, air-layers, or selected vegetative material; seed absent in many cultivars
Fruit and harvest	Repeated warm-season crops; starchy syncarp eaten green or ripe

Identification and description

Breadfruit is a high-yielding tropical tree crop with starchy syncarps. Most named cultivars are seedless or nearly so and are propagated vegetatively.

The accepted genus, family, and order are Artocarpus, Moraceae, and Rosales.

Growing

Breadfruit is a humid Pacific and Southeast Asian tree of warm lowlands. Give it full sun, deep fertile soil, steady moisture, and protection from strong wind; brief dryness is tolerated better by established trees than by young ones.

Deep, fertile, moisture-retentive but drained soil; humid tropical climate. Provide airflow and avoid standing water unless the species is being grown in a deliberately wet habitat.

Soil

Deep, fertile, moisture-retentive but drained soil; humid tropical climate; preserve native drainage and organic-matter conditions rather than treating all tropical fruit trees alike.

Sun and humidity

Most plants in this group prefer bright light; young trees may need shelter while roots establish. Humidity should be paired with airflow, not stagnant enclosure.

Seasonal changes

Flowering and harvest vary with local wet/dry or cool/warm cycles. Adjust irrigation to the species' native rhythm and protect warm-tropical plants during cool weather.

Propagation

Root cuttings, air-layers, or selected vegetative material; seed absent in many cultivars. Seedlings may vary in fruit quality and maturity; use grafting or other clonal methods when a named selection must be preserved.

Field view or fruit detail of Artocarpus altilis. Wikimedia Commons file page.

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

Repeated warm-season crops; starchy syncarp eaten green or ripe. Local climate, cultivar, rootstock, pollination, and rainfall can shift the calendar substantially.

Fruit and uses

The ripe fruit is eaten fresh and may be used in drinks, preserves, desserts, or regional savory preparations. Handle ripe fruit carefully because many tropical fruits soften rapidly after harvest.

Commentary

Growers are welcome to share observations on the talk page, including climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering, fruiting, and growing conditions.

Photos

The images above show documented fruit, flower, or plant-habit views. See the individual Commons file pages in the image credits for authorship and license details.

Sources

• Useful Tropical Plants: Artocarpus altilis

Image credits

• Breadfruit - Artocarpus altilis.jpg — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.
• Breadfruit artocarpus altilis (3591096448).jpg — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.