Artocarpus altilis
| 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 |
| Years to fruit | N/A |
| Fruit and harvest | Repeated warm-season crops; starchy syncarp eaten green or ripe |
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.
Cultivation
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 and water
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.
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.
Photos
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References
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.
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