Jackfruit is the largest fruit that grows on trees—a single fruit can reach about 110 lb (50 kg). The jackfruit tree is an evergreen in the mulberry family that likely comes from India, and in the US it is grown on a small scale in south Florida and Hawaii. Canned young jackfruit is now sold widely as a plant-based meat substitute.
Appearance
- Growth form
- An evergreen tree that can reach almost 100 ft (30 m) in the tropics; in Florida mature trees are usually 30–40 ft (9–12 m) and can be pruned to 8–14 ft.
- Leaves
- Thick, leathery leaves about 1.5–6 in (4–15 cm) long. Young trees can have three-lobed leaves, which is where the name heterophyllus ("varied leaves") comes from.
- Flowers
- Male and female flowers grow separately on the same tree, and the fruit hangs straight from the trunk and thick branches.
- Fruit
- Most fruit weighs 10–60 lb (4.5–27 kg). Inside are hundreds of sweet yellow bulbs, each wrapped around one large seed. In Florida, fruit ripens mainly in summer and fall, about 5–6 months after flowering.
Look-alikes
DurianDurio zibethinus
Durian is covered in sharp, pointed spikes, while jackfruit has short, blunt bumps. The two trees are not closely related.
Why they get mixed upBoth are huge, knobby, strong-smelling tropical fruits sold in Asian markets.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- Tropical orchards
- Home gardens
- Range
- Thought to be native to India, possibly the Western Ghats, and now grown throughout tropical Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In the US it is not widely grown, but you can find it in south Florida and Hawaii.
- Preferred conditions
- Needs a frost-free climate. In Florida, leaves are damaged at 32°F (0°C) and whole trees can be killed at 28°F (-2°C). It handles dry spells fairly well but not soggy or flooded soil.
Growing it
- Care
- Florida extension experts suggest planting it 25–30 ft from buildings and other trees in full sun. Named varieties differ in flesh texture, from firm and crunchy to soft and melting.
- Propagation
- Grown from seed or by grafting; grafting keeps the traits of a named variety. Seedling trees may start bearing in their 3rd or 4th year.
- Toxicity
- All parts ooze a sticky white that permanently stains clothes. Florida growers recommend gloves and rubbing vegetable oil on hands and knife blades before cutting.
Culture and stories
- Culture and stories
- The English name comes from Portuguese jaca, which in turn comes from chakka in Malayalam, a language of southwest India.
- It is the national fruit of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The wood is used for furniture and for musical instruments such as the Indian veena.
- The seeds are also eaten after boiling or roasting.
More species to explore
Record what you meet and build your own collection
Your photos are kept with their date and place, and you can fill regional albums one species at a time.