Family: Moraceae

Native to the rainforests in India, jackfruit thrives in fertile valleys with moist, well-drained soil. It is the world’s largest edible fruit. They grow directly off the trunk and branches.

There are many ways to eat jackfruit — boil or fry seeds for a tasty treat.  A vegetarian replacement for kalua pork can be made when shredded jackfruit “meat” is flavored with BBQ sauce. The outer seed covering resembles juicy fruit with a firm texture, although all do not enjoy the taste. Woodworkers value its yellow wood.

Jackfruit was introduced to Hawaiʻi from Jamaica in 1885 and has been cultivated here ever since. Sow fresh seeds in moist soil; germination takes place within a few weeks. Offspring will be identical to the parent as jackfruit is true to seed. New trees are also produced by air layering. In general, it is an easy tree to grow, low-maintenance tree.

Plant Uses:

• Edible
• Medicinal
• Specimen
• Woodworking

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers