Artocarpus hirsutus

Artocarpus hirsutus, commonly known as wild jack, is a tropical evergreen tree species that is native to India, primarily in Kerala, but also in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, where it grows in moist, deciduous to partially evergreen woodlands.

Description

A tall evergreen tree. The young shoots have sharp hairs. The leaves are broadly oval. They are 25 cm long by 14 cm wide. The fruit is oval and has sharp hairs. It is 15 cm long by 10 cm wide. They are orange colour when ripe.

Edible Uses

Unripe fruits are used to make curry. Ripe fruits are eaten raw. Seeds are fried or roasted.

Traditional Uses

The unripe fruits are used for making curry. The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The seeds are eaten. They are fried or roasted.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The seed is used medicinally.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In grows in evergreen and moist deciduous forest.

Where It Grows

Asia, India, Indochina, Laos, Northeastern India, SE Asia,

Cultivation

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,300 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 32°c, but can tolerate 16 - 38°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,500 - 3,500mm, but tolerates 1,700 - 4,500mm. Older plants succeed in full sun or moderate shade, but younger trees require reasonable levels of shade. Succeeds in most soils, preferably well-drained. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5. A fast growing tree. Trees do not coppice well, but produce abundant root suckers. The tree has a deep taproot.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Seedlings do not transplant well and so the seed should either be sown in situ or in deep individual containers.

Other Uses

The concreted juice forms a waxy, tough, light brown substance, which, when melted, is used as a cement to join broken earthen-ware and stoned ware. The heartwood is yellowish-brown; the sapwood white. The wood is moderately hard, durable, it lasts well in water and is not attacked by white ants. A valuable timber, it is used for house and boat building, furniture, etc. The tree is grown to provide shade in coffee plantations and also as an undergrowth in teak plantations.

Production

In southern India plants fruit in January and February.

Notes

There are about 50 Artocarpus species. They are in the tropics and subtropics of Asia and the Pacific.

Also Known As

Aini, Anjili, Ayani, Ayani plavu, Cheenipala, Curipillavu, Habbhalasu, Hebbelsh, Jat malang, Pat-phanas, Pejata

References (22)

• Ajesh, T. P., et al, 2012, Ethnobotanical Documentation of Wild Edible Fruits used by Muthuvan Tribes of Idukki, Kerala-India. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences 3(3): 479-487
• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 691
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 57
• Binu, S., 2010, Wild edible plants by the tribals in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 9(2): 309-312
• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 43

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