JackfruitPosted 10 years ago under Uncategorized

Often viewed as a smelly, giant fruit, the jackfruit has a surprising amount of nutrition. It is considered a natural aphrodisiac by the Javanese. It has incredible analgesic and antibiotic properties. It is a great addition to anyone’s diet.

Taxonomy

The jackfruit comes from the Artocarpus heterophyllus tree.

Kingdom (Plantae) → Angiosperms → Eudicots → Rosids → Order (Rosales) → Family (Moraceae) → Tribe (Artocarpeae) → Genus (Artocarpus) → Species (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

Description

The jackfruit is the largest fruit in the world. It grows on evergreen trees that can reach heights of sixty feet tall. The leaves are dark green and glossy and can be about five to six inches in length. Both male and female flowers grow on the tree with the female flowers being larger. The fruit can weigh ten to sixty pounds and has protruding nubs all over the outside. Though green when not ripe, the skin changes to yellow then brown when ripe. The fruit has a distinctive strong odor that is unpleasant. (2)

Distribution

Jackfruit are native to Asia including India, Burma, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines. They are not widely cultivated around the world, but thrive in tropical environments. (3) They are not frost tolerant and need a constant source of moisture though do not do well if the roots are constantly kept wet. (4)

Nutritional Information

Jackfruit are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are a good source of B vitamins, vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. The only parts of the fruit that are not edible are the rind and the core. The seeds are edible and are a good source of protein and minerals themselves. (5) They are also high in good fats. (6)

Commercial Cultivation

Jackfruit are usually planted from seed, grafts, or cuttings and take four years to produce fruit. They can continue to produce fruit for up to 100 years though they have declining production as they grow older. (7) They require cross-pollination. Harvest is in summer and fall. (8)

Diseases, Pests, Predators

Jackfruit aren’t susceptible to many diseases, but ones that can affect them include fruit rot, gray mold, and other fungi that can cause leaf spotting. Wood boring insects and scales can attack them. (9)

Sources

(1) http://www.naturalnews.com/043889_durian_fruit_healthy_fruits_exotic.html
(2) http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/jackfruit.html
(3) http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg370
(4) http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/jackfruit-trees/growing-jackfruit-trees.htm
(5) http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/jackfruit.html
(6) http://www.naturalnews.com/043889_durian_fruit_healthy_fruits_exotic.html
(7) http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/jackfruit-trees/growing-jackfruit-trees.htm
(8) http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg370
(9) http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg370