Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis)

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae) is a traditional starch crop in Oceania where it has been cultivated and improved upon by human selection for millennia. Although it is primarily grown for its fruit, the tree has multiple uses and over one hundred varieties exist. Due to changes in traditional diets and climate change, varieties are being lost. The National Tropical Botanical Garden houses the largest breadfruit germplasm collection which is utilized for consevation and research.

 

Two closely allied species A. camansi (breadnut) and A. mariannensis (dugdug) were involved in the origins of breadfruit (Zerega 2003; Zerega et al. 2004, 2005).

Artocarpus camansi (pictures by Diane Ragone)

Artocarpus mariannensis

Click on the map to learn more about breadfruit origins.

 

Learn more about breadfruit research and initiatives:

The Breadfruit Institute

Trees That Feed Foundation

National Tropical Botanical Garden

 

REFERENCES

Zerega, N. J. C., D. Ragone, and T. J. Motley. 2005. Systematics and species limits of breadfruit (Artocarpus, Moraceae). Systematic Botany 30: 603-615.

Zerega, N. J. C., D. Ragone, and T. J. Motley. 2004. Complex Origins of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae): Implications for human migrations in Oceania. American Journal of Botany 91: 760–766. 2004.

Zerega, N.J.C. 2003. The Breadfruit Trail. Natural History 112(10): 46-51.