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artocarpus
Scientific Name: Artocarpus mariannensis
Family: Moraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
About the Genus Artocarpus
The genus Artocarpus encompasses approximately 60 species of trees and shrubs native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. These plants belong to the mulberry family, Moraceae. Several species within this genus are economically and culturally significant.
Considerations for Pets
- Some species, like Artocarpus elasticus, produce a white latex.
Considerations for Children
- Jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus) can be very large, sometimes weighing over 75 lbs, so caution should be exercised when children are near falling fruit.
Scientific Classification
- Genus: Artocarpus
- Family: Moraceae (Mulberry Family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Major Group: Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
Key Species Within the Genus:
- Artocarpus altilis
- Common Names: Breadfruit
- Synonyms: Artocarpus communis, Artocarpus incisa (mentioned in some contexts), ARAL7 (Symbol)
- Artocarpus heterophyllus
- Common Names: Jackfruit, Jack Tree, Jakfruit, Jack, Jak
- Artocarpus integer
- Common Names: Cempedak
- Artocarpus lacucha
- Common Names: Monkey Fruit, Monkey Jack, Barhar (Hindi: बरहङ)
- Artocarpus mariannensis
- Common Names: Dugdug (in Guam)
Distribution and Habitat
Artocarpus species are primarily found in the tropical everwet zones, or areas with relatively mild monsoon seasons. Specific regions mentioned include:
- Southeast Asia
- Pacific region
- New Guinea (Origin of Artocarpus altilis)
- Guam and the Marianas Islands (Possible origin of Artocarpus mariannensis)
Morphological Characteristics
- General: Most Artocarpus species are large trees.
- Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit): Tall tropical tree with divided leaves and large green to yellow fruits.
- Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit): Can reach 8-25 m in height, straight stemmed, branching near the base.
- Artocarpus integer (Cempedak): A large tree with a dense crown, reaching a height of 15 m or more.
Quirky Facts
- Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is recognized as the largest tree-borne fruit in the world.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Artocarpus integer has a pollination system involving pollinator gall midges and fungi.
Uses and Properties
- 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.
Further Resources
- SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK (as a source of synonyms).