by adminArtocarpus heterophyllus
Botanical Name
Artocarpus heterophyllus
Common Name
Jackfruit
| Telugu | PanasaPandu |
| Hindi | Kathal |
| Tamil | Palapalam |
| Malayalam | Cakka |
Panasa
Native fruit to Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, and Western Asia.
Tree which gives an immense quantity of food unto 3 tonnes every year. Its fruits are largest tree borne fruit in the world weighing upto an average to 10-25 pounds. Jackfruit reminds us never to judge a book by its cover. We’d miss out on so much tasty goodness!
Jackfruit, evergreen tree that grows up to 30 m high and 80-200 cm in diameter but Bud-grafted trees are usually smaller – measuring 3.0 – 4.5 m high. All parts of the tree (trunk, leaves and fruit) contain white, sticky latex. With a rough scaly bark and dense crown seen in young trees, becoming rounded or spreading in the older trees.
Sita Ashoka
It is an important tree in the cultural traditions of India . One of the sacred trees of India, the Ashoka tree brings good luck to its owner and diminishes all the sorrow hence called sorrow-less tree. The ashoka is a rain forest tree. Indigenous to India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, Ashoka is a 22-30 feet tall, evergreen tree.
Leaf
The leaves are elliptical obovate in shape and measure about 20 cm long.Dark green and shiny above, paler green beneath and bluntly tipped, petiole 2-4 cm long and a bit hairy
Leaf
Leaves are alternate, paripinnate, copper red when young and green when mature, and 30–60 cm long. Bark on old stems is dark green in colour, often marked by bluish and ash white patches of lichens.
Flowers & Fruits
Short, stout flowering twigs emerge from the trunk and large branches. Male and female flowers are separate. Male flowers are produced on new wood amongst the leaves or above female flowers. Male flowers produce sticky yellow pollen that has a sweet scent that attracts small insects.
Female flowers are larger than male flower and hang from thick, short stalks on mature wood. The female flower clusters are elliptical or round.
The jackfruit is a multiple fruit that is composed of the coherence of multiple flowers. The fruit hangs from thick stalks on the trunk and main branches. The jackfruit is the largest fruit in the world; weighing from 4-40 kg. A few cultivars are small fruited, weighing 1.5-4.0 kg each. The fruit is roughly oblong in shape and measures up to 90 cm long and 50 cm in diameter.
The inside of the fruit contains pulp that surrounds each seed. Between the seeds and edible pulp is the inedible “rag”. There are two main varieties. In one, fruits have small, fibrous, soft, but sweet pulp. The other variety is crisp and almost crunchy though not quite as sweet.
Flowers
Ashoka tree produces flowers from February to April. A bean-like fruit appears and matures from June to August. The Ashoka flowers come in heavy, lush bunches. They are bright orange-yellow in color , turning red before wilting.
How to grow
Jackfruit plants are generally raised from seeds. the easiest and cheapest means of obtaining planting material among small orchard farmers. They are also propagated by bud – grafting . Trees grown from seed may fruit in 4-7 years. Grafted plants begin production in 2 to 4 years. They reach maximum production in the 10th – 11th year.
In suitable environments, the jackfruit produces fruits throughout the year. The fruit is ready for harvest after 3 months or more depending on the planting procedure
Benefits and Uses
One of the most enjoyed fruits in summer.
Jackfruit is used for anti-aging procedures, in products used for skin fairness creams, cleansers and in hair treatment.
Jackfruit is taken as an aphrodisiac or for diabetes. and its paste is applied to the skin for poisonous bites.
Jackfruit tree wood is used to make the famous Indian musical instrument KANJIRA
Flowers
Benefits and Uses
This tree is known for its medicinal properties. We can use it in diabetes, improves skin complexion, prevent internal bleeding, remove kidney stones, treats asthma and boost memory power. Its bark is used to treat burning sensation, women
ailments, and digestive problems. The pulp of its blossoms is used to treat dysentery.