Artocarpus altilis aka Breadfruit

Artocarpus altilis, or breadfruit, belongs to the mulberry family. It is a food tree of the humid tropics. Kew lists it as a cultivated plant from the northwest Pacific. Its likely homeland runs from New Guinea to Micronesia. People have spread it through tropical regions around the world. Its fruit now serves as a staple in many places.

Garden trees reach 30–50 feet (9–15 metres) tall. Their broad crowns can spread to 50 feet (15 metres). Some sources report heights near 98 feet (30 metres). The straight trunk may form buttresses at its base. Brown bark has a smooth surface with small raised dots. All parts release a milky latex when cut. Large, thick, dark green leaves grow along the stems. Deep lobes divide the blades, which have hairs beneath. The tree stays leafy but may shed leaves during dry seasons.

Tiny male and female flowers grow on the same tree. Male flowers form long, drooping, yellowish clusters like catkins. Female flowers form rounded or oval pale green clusters. Bees visit the flowers, and flowering follows a seasonal pattern. Many flowers join to form each large compound fruit. Their remains leave small, roughly six-sided marks on its skin. Ripe fruit turns yellowish brown around pale, starchy flesh. Some fruits hold large brown seeds; many cultivated forms lack seeds. Fruit takes about 15–19 weeks to reach harvest stage.

Breadfruit needs warmth, high humidity, and soil that stays moist. Give it full sun or light shade. Deep, fertile soil with good drainage suits it best. It also grows in a range of other soils. Brief dry spells may not harm established trees. Cold below 41°F can cause injury. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 10–12; Oregon State gives zone 11. Growth is fast, and maintenance needs are moderate. Missouri Botanical Garden reports no major pest or disease problems.

The broad crown gives shade in gardens and mixed crop plantings. Growers also use the tree for food, windbreaks, and timber. People cook unripe fruit as a starchy vegetable. Ripe flesh can be eaten raw, cooked, or fermented. Seeds, leaves, and flowers also have recorded food uses. Seeded forms grow from seed; seedless forms grow from suckers. Traditional medicine uses several parts of the tree. The sources report no known hazards, but do not establish pet safety.