Jackfruit

Artocarpus heterophyllus

Physical Characteristics

Artocarpus heterophyllus 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 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects, wind. 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Indian subcontinent.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Leaves Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Gelatine Gum Edible portion: Fruit, Seeds, Leaves, Flowers. Fruit - raw or cooked in a variety of ways[ 301 ]. The pulp of young fruit is rich in carbohydrates and is usually cooked as a vegetable[ K ]. The fruit becomes sweeter as it ripens, as some of the carbohydrates are converted into sugars. It is often eaten raw at this stage, but is also still cooked as a vegetable[ K ]. The rind of the fruit yields a fair jelly[ 301 ]. The fruit case is enormous, it can be 30 - 50cm long, weigh up to 20kg and contain up to 500 individual golden-coloured fruits[ 46 , 296 ]. They have rather a strong smell which some people do not like, though they can be dried when the smell is less[ 296 ]. Seed - cooked. Lovely when boiled or roasted, with a flavour and texture similar to chestnuts[ 63 , 296 , 301 ]. They can be ground into a powder and used in making biscuits[ 301 ]. The seeds have a high starch content and about 5% protein[ 63 ]. When boiling the seeds, the water is sometimes changed 2 or three times in order to remove an objectionable odour[ 63 ]. Very young fruits and leaf shoots - cooked in soups and stews[ 301 ]. Young male flowers are eaten mixed with chillies, sugar, salt etc[ 301 ]. There can be 100-500 seed in a fruit. Unlike breadfruit, there are no seedless Jackfruit. When ripe the unopened fruit has a strong smell.

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Antiasthmatic Antidiarrhoeal Aphrodisiac Febrifuge Mouthwash Sedative Skin Stomachic Tonic Vermifuge The ashes of leaves, with or without oil, are used to treat ulcers, diarrhoea, boils, stomach-ache and wounds[ 303 ]. The pulp and seeds of the fruit are regarded as a cooling tonic[ 303 ]. The seeds are said to be an aphrodisiac[ 303 ]. The sap is an anti-syphilitic and a vermifuge[ 303 ]. The wood is claimed to have sedative properties, and its pith is said to be able to induce abortion[ 303 ]. A root decoction is used to alleviate fever, treat diarrhoea, skin diseases and asthma[ 303 ]. The bacteriolytic activity of the latex is equal to that of papaya latex[ 303 ]. Dried latex yields artotenone, a compound with marked androgenic action; it can also be mixed with vinegar to promote healing of abscesses, snakebite and glandular swellings[ 303 ].

Known Hazards

None known