Evergreen tree up to 30 metres in height with large, leathery, oval leaves. The entire plant secretes latex and the inflorescences are borne directly on the trunk (cauliflory). The aggregate fruit is up to a metre in length, weighs up to 50 kg and has a thick, greenish-yellow, warty skin. The jaca contains bean-shaped individual fruits with a fibrous pulp and a single seed.
It is not only the large fruits that are harvested. A yellowish-orange dye known as basanti is obtained from the wood of the tree. This is traditionally used by Buddhist monks to dye their clothing.
The fruits weigh an average of 15 kg and are increasingly being used as a vegan meat substitute. At the Tropenhaus we are still awaiting our first jackfruits...
India
Tropical garden staff member Wandee
It is not only the large fruits that are harvested. A yellowish-orange dye known as basanti is obtained from the wood of the tree. This is traditionally used by Buddhist monks to dye their clothing.
The fruits weigh an average of 15 kg and are increasingly being used as a vegan meat substitute. At the Tropenhaus we are still awaiting our first jackfruits...
