Breadfruit Tree (Artocarpus altilis)
Key Facts
Scientific Name: Artocarpus altilis, commonly called the Breadfruit tree.
Native Home: The Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia, now grown throughout tropical regions.
Height: Can grow up to 60–80 feet (18–25 meters) tall.
Lifespan: Can live for 50–100 years in suitable conditions.
Uses and Harvesting
Breadfruit: Produces large, starchy fruits that are cooked and eaten as a staple food.
Harvesting: Mature fruits are picked by hand or cut from the tree before they become overripe.
Age to Harvest: Usually begins producing fruit after around 3–5 years.
Products: Used for food, flour, chips, animal feed, and traditional wood products.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Pacific Island communities have cultivated breadfruit for centuries as an important staple crop.
Global Spread: Breadfruit was spread throughout tropical regions and is now grown across the Caribbean, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
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