Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit, Breadnut)

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids > Eurosid I > Order: Rosales > Family: Moraceae

A tree that grows up to a height of 12 m and produces large green fruit that are up to 2 kg in weight when mature. The fruit is derived from a complete flower cluster: those without seeds are called Breadfruit and those with seeds are termed Breadnut. Artocarpus altilis is native to the South Pacific region and Southeast Asia where it is eaten as a staple food. It is cooked before being eaten and is mainly a source of starch. It is cultivated in southern Africa but the fruit is rarely encountered.

Publications

• van Wyk, B.-E. 2005. Food Plants of the World - Identification, Culinary Uses and Nutritional Value. Briza, Pretoria.