Breadfruit

Breadfruit
Breadfruit at Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Moraceae
Genus:	Artocarpus
Species:	A. altilis
Binomial name
Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg
Synonyms
Artocarpus altilis var. non-seminiferus (Duss) Fournet) Artocarpus altilis var. seminiferus (Duss) Fournet Artocarpus communis J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. Artocarpus incisifolius Stokes [Illegitimate] Artocarpus incisus (Thunb.) L.f. Artocarpus incisus var. non-seminiferus Duss Artocarpus incisus var. seminiferus Duss Artocarpus laevis Hassk. Artocarpus papuanus Diels [Illegitimate] Artocarpus rima Blanco Radermachia incisa Thunb. [Unplaced] Saccus laevis Kuntze Sitodium altile Parkinson ex F.A.Zorn [1]

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a species of flowering tree in the mulberry and jackfruit family (Moraceae)^[2][3] believed to be a domesticated descendant of Artocarpus camansi originating in New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, and the Philippines. It was initially spread to Oceania via the Austronesian expansion. It was further spread to other tropical regions of the world during the Colonial Era.^[4][5] British and French navigators introduced a few Polynesian seedless varieties to Caribbean islands during the late 18th century. Today it is grown in some 90 countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean, Central America and Africa.^[6] Its name is derived from the texture of the moderately ripe fruit when cooked, similar to freshly baked bread and having a potato-like flavor.^[6][7]

The trees have been widely planted in tropical regions, including lowland Central America, northern South America, and the Caribbean.^[5][6] In addition to the fruit serving as a staple food in many cultures, the light, sturdy timber of breadfruit has been used for outriggers, ships, and houses in the tropics.

Breadfruit is closely related to Artocarpus camansi (breadnut or seeded breadfruit) of New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, and the Philippines, Artocarpus blancoi (tipolo or antipolo) of the Philippines, and Artocarpus mariannensis (dugdug) of Micronesia, all of which are sometimes also referred to as "breadfruit". It is also closely related to the jackfruit.^[8]