This
Southeast Asian species is easily confused with its close relative
the chempedak (Artocarpus integer).
Both have similar gigantic, compound fruit and leathery, unlobed
leaves, but the chempedakÕs fruit are slightly sweeter.
The jackfruit tree grows to 30 ft (9 m) tall with a single main
trunk and dense, rounded crown of dark green leaves.
The fruit may be up to 24 in (60 cm) long and weigh up to 40 lb (18
kg).
Their outer surface is creamy brown with crowded small, conical
protuberances, and the sticky yellow or pink flesh contains many
large brown seeds which are edible, as is the sweet though
malodorous flesh.
Cultivation: Edible-fruited species are cultivated in the wet
tropics, thriving best in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in
sheltered positions.
Propagation is from seed, or more commonly from root cuttings or
aerial layers (marcotts), which perpetuate desirable clones. |