Artocarpus heterophyllus or the Jack Fruit is a handsome, evergreen, fruit bearing tree that is widely cultivated in tropical climates.
It has attractive, dark green, glossy and leathery leaves that are elliptic to oval in shape, though they can be lobed when young.
The pungent but prized fruits are large, weighing up to 20kgs and being up to 90cms long by 50cms in diameter. The fruits are a good source of starch and dietary fibre and the taste is rather distinctive being like a mix of apple, pineapple, mango and banana.
Jack Fruit trees are very prolific with many producing over 100 fruits per year and as a result has become a valued food crop throughout tropical regions around the world.
These are fast growing tree and will produce fruit in their fourth year after planting providing conditions are humid. Producing both male and female flowers they will self pollinate (mainly by bees).
You can tell when they are ripe to pick having a hollow sounds when knocked and a strong, aromatic odour is emitted. But they do not keep well for long unless refrigerated.