Artocarpus heterophyllus
Artocarpus heterophyllus, is a monoecious tree, evergeen, height up to 20 m and 80 cm in diameter. The leaves are thin-leathery and obovate-elliptic to elliptic, smooth on the surface and rough on the undersides. Although it can grow on any different types of soil, it performs best in deep, well-drained, alluvial and sandy or loamy soils, pH 6.0-7.5.
Taxonomy:
- Family : Moraceae
Common Names:
- Malay : Nangka
English : Jackfruit, Jack Tree
Habitat and Distribution:
Artocarpus heterophyllus thrives in tropical region. It is natively distributed in Tropical Asia.
Uses:
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Fruits : When fruit is young, the pulp is used to cook as vegetable, pickled or canned in brine or curry. When fruit is ripe, it can be eaten fresh or made into various delicacies, chutney, jam, jelly and paste. It can also be preserved as candies, by mixing with sugar, honey, or syrup.
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Medicinal : The jackfruit wood also has sedative properties. The jackfruit pulp and seeds are considered as a cooling and nutritious tonic and useful in overcoming the effects of alcohol. The starch from the seed is used to relieve bilious. Heated leaves can be used to treat wounds, and the ash, when burned with maize and coconut shell can treat ulcers. By mixing vinegar and latex, it can promotes healing of abscesses, snakebite and glandular swellings. In the treatment against skin diseases and asthma, the root is used. Its extraction is used to treat fever and diarrhea.
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Timber & Products : From the wood particles, a yellow dye is extracted and used to dye silk and cotton robes. Classified as medium hardwood, resistant to termite attack, fungal and bacterial decay, the timber is considered superior to teak, though not as hard as teak, for furniture, construction, turnery, masts, oars, and implements and musical instrument. It is also easy to season and take polish beautifully.