Artocarpus altilis

Breadfruit is woven into the cultural fabric of Pacific Island societies, symbolizing abundance, sustenance, and hospitality. It features in legends, rituals, and art, notably in Hawaii, Tahiti, and Micronesia, where the tree is revered for its role in sustaining communities and shaping landscapes. Its spread by Austronesian navigators is a testament to its importance in human migration and the development of complex agroforestry traditions.

• Breadfruit trees can produce food for over 50 years, making them a long-lived source of nutrition.
• Most cultivated breadfruit varieties are seedless, a result of centuries of selection by Pacific peoples.
• The wood is prized for canoe building due to its lightness and resistance to termites.
• Breadfruit latex is used as a natural adhesive in traditional crafts.
• Despite its name, breadfruit is not related to wheat or bread, but its cooked flesh has a texture reminiscent of baked bread.

Breadfruit trees play a vital role in tropical agroforestry, providing shade, stabilizing soils, and supporting biodiversity. Their broad canopy offers habitat for birds and insects, while fallen leaves enrich the soil. As a perennial crop, breadfruit contributes to sustainable land use and resilience against food insecurity in vulnerable regions.

• Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis): The classic seedless species cultivated for food across the tropics.
• Breadnut (Artocarpus camansi): The wild ancestor, bearing seeded fruits and valued for its edible seeds.
• Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus): A close relative, known for its massive, sweet fruits and widespread use in South and Southeast Asia.

Breadfruit is native to New Guinea, the Indo-Malay region, and the Philippines, but has been widely dispersed throughout Oceania, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and parts of Southeast Asia. It thrives in humid, lowland tropical environments with annual rainfall exceeding 1500 mm and prefers well-drained soils. Its cultivation is most successful in frost-free regions with consistent warmth and moisture.

To cultivate breadfruit, select a warm, humid location with well-drained soil. Propagation is best done by root cuttings, suckers, or grafting, as seeds are rare in most varieties. Young trees require regular watering and protection from pests such as fruit flies and scale insects. Once established, breadfruit is drought-tolerant and can produce abundant fruit for decades. Avoid waterlogged conditions to prevent root rot, and prune as needed to maintain canopy shape and health.

Breadfruit faces threats from root rot in poorly drained soils, as well as pests like fruit flies, scale insects, and fungal diseases. Conservation efforts focus on preserving genetic diversity and traditional varieties, especially as breadfruit is crucial for food security in tropical regions. Its status is stable in most areas, but ongoing research and community stewardship are important to safeguard its future.

Breadfruit’s economic value lies in its versatility: the fruit is a staple food, processed into flour and gluten-free products; the wood is lightweight and termite-resistant, ideal for construction and canoe building; latex serves as a natural adhesive; and leaves are used as livestock fodder. Breadfruit is also grown as an ornamental and shade tree, contributing to both local economies and sustainable agriculture.

Breadfruit is a symbol of prosperity and sustenance in many Pacific cultures, often featured in myths about creation and migration. In Hawaii, the tree is called ‘ulu and regarded as a gift from the gods, representing abundance and community. Folklore across Oceania celebrates breadfruit as a life-giving plant, with stories of its miraculous origins and its role in supporting generations of families.

• Look for a large tree with a straight trunk and a broad, rounded canopy.
• Leaves are glossy, dark green, and deeply pinnately lobed, often up to 60 cm long.
• The fruit is compound, globular or oblong, with a green, spiny skin that turns yellowish when ripe.
• Breadfruit trees are typically found in warm, humid, lowland tropical areas, often planted near homes or in agroforestry systems.