Jackfruit

Jackfruit

Artocarpus heterophyllus
LanguageName
हिंदी (Hindi)कटहल
ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannaḍa)ಹಲಸು (Halasu)
తెలుగు (Telugu)పనసపండు (Panasapaṇḍu)

Description

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a large evergreen tree that belongs to the Moraceae family. It is native to South and Southeast Asia, and is widely cultivated in tropical regions around the world. The tree typically grows up to 10 to 20 meters in height, with a dense crown of leaves and a brownish-gray bark.

Jackfruit fruits are large and oblong-shaped, with a diameter of about 30 to 50 cm and a weight of up to 30 kg. They have a spiky, green or yellowish-green skin and a sweet, fragrant pulp that is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The fruit is commonly eaten fresh, cooked, or used in making desserts and curries.

Jackfruit trees are hardy and drought-tolerant, and can grow in a range of soils, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. The tree prefers full sun exposure and moderate watering, and can tolerate high temperatures and low humidity. Jackfruit trees are usually propagated through seeds or grafting.

In addition to its culinary value, Jackfruit has a number of health benefits, and its seeds, leaves, and roots are used in traditional medicine to treat a range of conditions, including asthma, fever, and diarrhea. The tree also has industrial value, with its wood used in making furniture and its latex used in making adhesive and coatings.

Highlights

    Plant has edible parts.