See: https://ntbg.org/breadfruit at the Breadfruit Institute
The trees grow to be 10-15 m high, with a trunk 1 m in diameter and when compared to Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and Dugdug (Artocarpus mariannensis), Breadnut has a more open branching structure. The same tree has both male and female flowers and the male inflorescence appears first. Unlike the Breadfruit, the individual flowers do not fuse together along their lengths. The fruits are 7-12 cm in diameter and weigh 800 g. The skin of the fruit is dull green to green-yellow when ripe and a spiny texture from the pointed, flexible, long tips of the individual flowers. The seeds vary in size, number and nutritional composition. When compared to Breadnut and Dugdug, they have a duller, lighter-brown outer seed coat that is patterned with dark veins. The oblong, spiny fruits have little flesh and are mostly grown for their large, nutritious seeds, although immature fruits and seeds can be thinly sliced and cooked as a vegetable. The seeds are high in protein (including amino acids such as methionine) and relatively low in fat. They are boiled or roasted and resemble chestnuts in texture and flavor. (Ragone, D. 1997. Breadfruit: Artocarpus altilis.)
Breadnut trees provide shade, mulch, soil stabilization, animal fodder and is commonly used in mixed agroforestry systems and home gardens. Breadnut is a natural component of the forests of Papua New Guinea and is an important part of the subsistence economy of lowland areas. The seeds are a valued food and are widely collected. Today gathered seeds are sold in village markets, providing an important source of income for women in some areas. (Ragone, D. 1997. Breadfruit: Artocarpus altilis.) (Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)
This species is the wild ancestor of Artocarpus altilis and is mainly native to New Guinea and possibly the Moluccas and the Philippines. Currently Breadnut is grown outside of its native range, in the Caribbean, South and Central America, and West Africa. (Ragone, D. 1997. Breadfruit: Artocarpus altilis.)
The nutritious fruits are usually consumed when immature, thinly sliced and boiled as a vegetable in soups or stews. Breadnut has nutritious seeds that are a good source of protein and low in fat compared to nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts and macadamia nuts. The physical properties of the nuts are similar to those of olive oil. The seeds are a good source of niacin and minerals. (Ragone, D. 1997. Breadfruit: Artocarpus altilis.)
Breadnut is typically spread by flying foxes and arboreal animals. (www.breadfruit.org)
We currently have 9 herbarium specimens for Artocarpus camansi in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
