🍈 Breadfruit (*Artocarpus altilis*)
🔤 Name English / nombre español / Name Deutsch
Breadfruit / Fruta de Pan / Brotfruchtbaum
📄 General description
The breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis) is a fast-growing, medium- to large-sized tropical tree in the mulberry family (Moraceae), cultivated primarily for its large, starchy fruits. Native to the South Pacific and widely naturalized in Central America and the Caribbean, it is a culturally and nutritionally significant food crop. The tree has a broad, spreading canopy with deeply lobed, glossy green leaves, and can reach heights of 15 to 20 meters under favorable conditions.
Breadfruit is often grown for both food security and shade, as well as for its ornamental appeal. It thrives in humid tropical climates and prefers fertile, well-drained soils. Once established, the tree can be highly productive, yielding dozens to hundreds of fruits annually. In addition to its fruit, the tree provides latex, lightweight wood, and dense foliage useful for erosion control and agroforestry systems.
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🌿 Botanical Characteristics
Family
Moraceae / (Mulberry or fig family)
Growth and Structure
Breadfruit trees are fast-growing and can reach 15–20 meters in height, with a wide, spreading canopy and a single sturdy trunk. The bark is smooth to slightly fissured, light gray to brown, and exudes a white latex when injured. The root system is extensive and shallow, contributing to soil stabilization.
Leaves
The large, glossy green leaves are deeply lobed (especially in mature trees), typically 30–90 cm long, and alternate in arrangement. They are leathery in texture and often covered with small hairs when young.
Flowers
Breadfruit trees are monoecious and bear separate male and female inflorescences on the same tree. Male flowers form long, cylindrical spikes, while female flowers cluster into a round structure that develops into the compound fruit.
Pollination
While wild breadfruit types may be pollinated by wind and insects, most cultivated varieties are seedless and parthenocarpic. These do not require pollination to produce fruit and are propagated vegetatively through root suckers or root cuttings.
Sexual System
Monoecious
Notes
Functionally parthenocarpic in cultivated varieties; though the species is botanically monoecious, most trees in cultivation produce fruit without fertilization or viable seeds.
🍈 FRUIT AND USE
General Use
Breadfruit is a versatile and nutritious staple food, rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber. It is typically consumed cooked, as the raw fruit is not palatable. Common preparations include boiling, steaming, baking, roasting, frying, and mashing. It can be eaten like potatoes or plantains, used in soups, curries, or casseroles, or made into chips and flour. Riper fruit can be used for sweet dishes or fermented. In many cultures, breadfruit serves as a vital food security crop due to its high productivity and long harvest window.
Ripening Season in Costa Rica
Breadfruit in Costa Rica typically ripens during the rainy season, with the main harvest between June and October, though this may vary by location and microclimate. Some trees may produce a lighter second crop toward the end of the year
Common Fruit Traits
The fruits are large (typically 0.5–3 kg), round to oval, with a green to yellowish skin that is rough or spiny, depending on the variety. The flesh is white to pale yellow, starchy when unripe, and becomes soft and slightly sweet when fully ripe. Most cultivated types are seedless, although seeded varieties exist. The texture is smooth and creamy when cooked properly.
Climacteric Category
Slightly climacteric
👉🏽 Ripening Behavior – Full Table
Notes
Slightly climacteric – Breadfruit shows limited post-harvest ripening and is best harvested when mature but still firm. Once harvested, it continues to soften but does not significantly increase in sugar content. Overripe fruits deteriorate quickly.
🌱 Propagation and Grafting
Breadfruit is typically propagated vegetatively, as most cultivated varieties are seedless and parthenocarpic. The most common method is the transplantation of root suckers, which naturally emerge near the parent tree. These suckers can be carefully separated and planted elsewhere.
To propagate successfully, suckers should ideally be 30–80 cm tall and located at least 50 cm away from the trunk. The horizontal root connecting the sucker to the mother tree is dug up and cut on both sides, so that a section of root remains attached to the sucker. Removing some leaves helps reduce water loss, and replanting should be done the same day in moist, well-draining soil. Partial shade is recommended until new growth appears.
While less common, breadfruit can also be propagated via root cuttings or air-layering. Grafting is used in some contexts to maintain desirable cultivars, especially in nurseries, but is generally not needed for small-scale or homestead planting
✂️ Care & Challenges
Pruning
Breadfruit trees require minimal pruning, but occasional structural trimming can help maintain a manageable size and promote airflow. Dead, crossing, or overly vertical branches may be removed to reduce wind resistance and encourage lateral growth. In agroforestry systems, pruning may also help regulate shade for understory crops. Major pruning is best done after the harvest season.
Diseases and Pests
Breadfruit is generally resilient, but it may be affected by certain issues under specific conditions. In very wet environments, fruit rot can occur, often caused by fungi such as Phytophthora. Sooty mold or scale insects may develop on the leaves, while occasional fruit fly infestations can arise, especially if damaged fruit is left hanging on the tree or decomposing on the ground. In drier areas, termites or borers may target weakened wood. To prevent such problems, it is important to maintain good air circulation and sanitation, including the regular removal of fallen fruit.
Fertilization
Breadfruit benefits from organic matter enrichment such as compost, bokashi, or mulch. Trees respond well to low-input systems, but occasional additions of potassium-rich inputs (e.g. ash, composted banana stems) may support fruiting. A thick layer of organic mulch helps retain moisture and nourish the shallow roots.king. If left too long, the fruit softens and becomes sweet, but also prone to spoilage. Harvesting is usually done by hand with a pole or sickle, as the fruits grow high in the canopy. Care must be taken not to damage the fruit during harvest. Well-managed trees can yield 50 to 200 fruits per year, depending on age, variety, and conditions. Breadfruit is highly perishable and should be consumed, processed, or cooked within a few days of harvest. Cooked fruit can be dried or frozen for later use, and some communities ferment it to extend shelf life.
🧺 Harvest Notes
Breadfruit should be harvested when the skin turns from bright green to a yellowish-green and the surface becomes slightly soft. Fruits ripen quickly and are prone to spoilage once mature, so they should be used promptly or processed. Short-term storage is possible in a cool, well-ventilated place, but refrigeration may extend shelf life by a few days.
📍 Individuals in the Field
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📷 Photos
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