Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit)

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 to a height of about 10 m and bears huge fruit oval in shape and up to 1 m long and 50 kg in weight. It is thought to be native to southern India and is sliced up and cooked as a vegetable. It is the matrix around the seeds that is eaten. The seeds are evidently poisonous but can be eaten after cooking.

Publications

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