Artocarpus heterophyllus

Common name: Jackfruit

Description: Jackfruit is a tropical to subtropical evergreen tree that is native from India to Malaya Peninsula. It is a large, straight-trunked, somewhat stately tree that typically grows 30-70 feet high. It is best noted for bearing the largest fruits of any tree in the world. 

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12.

In the landscape: Grows best in deep, rich, acidic, consistently and evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Plants generally like warm, sunny, humid conditions. Avoid dry soils.

Fruit and seeds: Fruits are generally melon-shaped, growing from 1-3 feet long and up to 20 inches in diameter. Large fruits may have from 100 to 500 seeds. The rind is covered with hard cone-like knobs. Pale green unripened fruits ripen to greenish-yellow or brown with a soft custard-yellow inner flesh. Ripe unopened fruits have the aroma of decayed onions, but the aromatic pulp smells like banana or pineapple. Unripened fruits may be prepared like a vegetable. Ripened fruits may be eaten fresh or cooked. Seeds may be boiled and roasted with a chestnut-like taste.
 

Source: Missouri Botanical Garden

Photos by National Tropical Botanical Garden