Breadnut, Kamansi

Artocarpus camansi

Physical Characteristics

Artocarpus camansi is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Southeast Asia - Indonesia to Papua New Guinea.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Seed Edible Uses: Oil Fruit - usually cooked[ 303 ]. A sweet aroma and taste[ 303 ]. The fruits are nutritious and usually consumed when immature; thinly sliced and boiled as a vegetable in soups or stews[ 303 ]. The greenish-yellow, oval or ovoid fruit is 7 - 12cm in diameter and weighs about 800g[ 303 ]. Seed - cooked[ 303 ]. When roasted they are similar to chestnuts in texture and flavour. They can be canned in brine, or processed into nut butter or nut paste, flour, or oil[ 303 ]. The seeds are high in protein and relatively low in fat compared to nuts such as almond, Brazil nut, and macadamia nut; they are a good source of minerals and contain more niacin than most other nuts[ 303 ]. The seeds are about 25mm long, with from 12 - 150 seeds per fruit, each seed weighing 7 - 10g and, in total, comprising 30 - 50% or more of the total fruit weight[ 303 ].

Medicinal Uses

No specific medicinal uses are reported for this species, but it tree probably has medicinal properties similar to the breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis)[ 303 ].

Known Hazards

None known