Breadfruit Tree – Artocarpus altilis

Image Source: Forest and Kim Starr (Wiki Commons)

• SE Asia origins.
• Wood is light and strong, great for canoes, surfboards, and drums.
• Also known as ‘ulu in Hawaii.
• Sticky sap was used to catch birds.
• Widely cultivated for its edible fruit.
• Wasn’t eaten in “Old Hawaii”, was fed to pigs to get fat for luau.

    Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

• Evergreen tree growing up to 85 ft., but usually 50 ft.
• Large leaves can get up to 30 cm.
• Wood is resistant to termites which makes it an ideal material for homes/boats.

    Source: (KRBG)

• Ornamental foliage and alrge green fruits.
• Native to the Malay Peninsula.
• Poor wind, salt, and drought tolerance.
• Plant away from paved surfaces because of fruit falling.

    Source: (Rauch, 2000)

• A single fruit from breadfruit tree can weight up to 7 pounds.
• Trunk was used for the tall drums, paho heiau, that were part of religious observations at heiau.

    ​Source: (Wageman, 2008)

• Navigators from Tahiti brought the first breadfruit to Hawaii.
• Breadfruit is most valuable food source among members of the Fig family.

    ​Source: (Majesty I, 1982)