SafePlants

Artocarpus: Exploring the World of Jackfruit, Breadfruit, and Their Relatives

The genus Artocarpus comprises approximately 60 species of trees and shrubs native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific. These plants belong to the mulberry family, Moraceae, and include several economically and culturally significant species.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Artocarpus
• Family: Moraceae (Mulberry Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Major Group: Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
• Artocarpus is the largest genus in its tribe and the third-largest in the Moraceae family.
• Synonyms (for specific species):
  • Artocarpus altilis: Synonyms include Artocarpus communis and Artocarpus incisa.
  • Artocarpus elasticus: Synonyms include Artocarpus blumei.
  • Artocarpus integer: Synonyms include Artocarpus integrifolius and Artocarpus integer var. silvestris
• Some recognized taxonomic ranks include species, variety, and subspecies.

Common Names

• Artocarpus altilis: Breadfruit
• Artocarpus heterophyllus: Jackfruit, Jack Tree, Jakfruit, Jak
• Artocarpus lacucha: Monkey Fruit, Monkey Jack, Barhar (Hindi: ????)
• Artocarpus integer: Cempedak (pronounced "chem-pe-dak")
• Wild seeded Artocarpus mariannensis: Dugdug (Guam)

Distribution and Habitat

• The genus Artocarpus originates from Southeast Asia and the Pacific region.
• Most species are large trees found in the tropical everwet zone or areas with mild monsoon seasons.
• Artocarpus mariannensis is potentially native to Guam and other Mariana Islands.

Morphological Characteristics

• Artocarpus species are typically trees or shrubs.
• Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) can reach 8-25 meters in height with a straight stem that branches near the base. It features a dense, dome-shaped canopy.
• Artocarpus integer is a large tree with a dense crown, reaching a height of 15 meters or more, featuring a cylindrical stem.
• Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit) is a tall tree with divided leaves and large, green to yellow fruits.
• Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) produces the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, sometimes weighing over 75 lbs.
• The leaves and fruit shapes of Khanun sampalor and Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) are different despite the two being similar tree shapes.
• Terap is an evergreen tree growing up to 45 metres tall, with reports that it can reach 65 metres.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Artocarpus integer (Cempedak) has a pollination system involving pollinator gall midges and fungi.

Traditional Uses and Phytochemistry

• The wood of some Artocarpus species contains the yellow colorant morin and the colorless cyanomaclurin.
• Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit) has long been an important staple crop and a primary component of traditional agroforestry systems.

Quirky Facts

• Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, with some specimens weighing over 75 lbs.
• Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) gets its name because its fruit is said to taste similar to freshly baked bread.

Resources

• SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
• Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden