Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit)


Michael's Opinion

Breadfruit is a nutritious and fun fruit. My favourite way of eating breadfruit is when its at its ripest, in which it becomes sweet in most cases. It's best to enjoy it roasted and fried, eaten with roast salt fish and/or ackee and saltfish. For me, bread fruit is a fascinating tree because the flavour completely depends on how it's prepared.

Botanical Information

FamilyMoraceae
GenusArtocarpus
Speciesaltilis
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10 - 12
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height26 m
Spread1 - 3 m

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionArtocarpus altilis (breadfruit) is a food tree of the tropics. Its fruit is a staple and is a substitute for bread. This tree comes from the mulberry family (Moraceae). It can be found in the South Pacific and other tropical areas. It can be roasted, baked, boiled, fried, or dried and ground into flour.
LandscapeThe broadleaf evergreen tree which can grow up to a height of 40- 50 ft (12 - 15 m). The tree has latex, a milky juice.
PropagationEasy to propagate from root shoots or root cuttings, air-layering branches, or from seeds; however, stem cuttings are not used. Seeds rarely grow because they do not develop properly.
PestsRelatively pest and disease free.
HabitatSoutheast Asia and most Pacific Ocean islands.
Bark/Stem DescriptionIts bark is brown, smooth, with wart like dots.
Leaf DescriptionThe large and thick leaves are deeply cut into pinnate lobes.
Flower DescriptionThe trees are monoecious, with male and female flowers growing on the same tree. The male flowers emerge first, followed shortly afterward by the female flowers, which grow into a capitulum, which is capable of pollination just three days later.
Fruit DescriptionWhen the fruit is ripe it has a yellowish-brown colour, with a starchy pulp that is creamy white to pale yellow. The fruit might contain large brown seeds, seedless selections, or nearly cultivated. The fruit can be cooked and eaten within 15-19 weeks.
Colour DescriptionGreen.
Texture DescriptionGlossy, leathery, rough, thick.

Photographs