Jack (Artocarpus heterophyllus, Encycl. 3: 29 (1789))

Family: Moraceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Encycl. 3: 29 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Artocarpus

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. India

Description

The plant commonly known as Jack, scientifically referred to as Artocarpus heterophyllus, is a prolific species belonging to the Moraceae family. First described in 1789, this plant has been thoroughly documented and is noted in the “Encyclopédie Méthodique” under the entry 3: 29 by the author Lam.

Jack trees are indigenous to the southwestern regions of India, where they thrive in the tropical and subtropical climates characteristic of the area. This part of India provides the ideal environment for the Jack tree’s growth, characterized by fertile soil and abundant rainfall, which supports the tree’s impressive development.

Artocarpus heterophyllus is renowned for its significant cultural and economic value, primarily for its large and nutritious fruit, commonly known as jackfruit. The fruit is celebrated not only for its substantial size, making it one of the largest tree-borne fruits, but also for its versatility. Jackfruit can be consumed at various stages of ripeness, serving as both a staple food source and a delicacy. When young and unripe, the flesh is often used in savory dishes due to its texture similar to pulled meat, making it a popular meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan cuisines. As it ripens, the fruit’s flavor profile shifts to a sweet, fruity taste, lending itself well to desserts and snacks.

The tree itself is impressive, with a robust structure and a canopy that provides ample shade. It features an intricate network of branches and broad, glossy leaves, adding to its aesthetic and ecological appeal. The wood of Jack trees is also valued for its durability and rich coloration, often used in furniture-making and for other utilitarian purposes.

Moreover, the Jack tree plays a significant role in local ecosystems. It supports a variety of wildlife, providing both food and habitat. The tree’s extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion and contributes to the maintenance of the water table, promoting environmental stability.

In summary, Artocarpus heterophyllus, or Jack, is not merely a plant of botanical interest but a vital component of its native ecosystem and a staple of human diets and economies in the regions where it naturally occurs. Its multifaceted uses and benefits underscore its importance and the esteem in which it is held in its native habitat of southwestern India.

Common Names

Deu: jackfruchtbaum, nangka
Eng: jackfruit, jack, jak
Por: jaca
Spa: jaca, jaqueiro, árbol del pan
Swe: jackfrukt
Fra: jacquier
En: Jack, Jackfruit, Jak, Na’a, Nangka, Jackfruit Tree, Jack fruit tree, Jak-fruit
Ar: جاكية
As: কঁঠাল
Be: Джэкфрукт
Bn: কাঁঠাল
Bg: Джакфрут
My: ပိန္နဲပင်
Zh: Bo luo mi, 波羅蜜
Hr: Nangka
Cs: Chlebovník různolistý
Dv: ސައްކެޔޮ
Nl: Nangka
Eo: Jakvo
Et: Jaka
Fi: Intianleipäpuu, Jakkihedelmä
Fr: Jacquier, Jacque
De: Nangka, Jackfruchtbaum, Jackfrucht
El: Αρτόκαρπος ο ετερόφυλλος
Gu: ફણસ
He: פרי-הג’ק
Hi: कटहल
Hu: Jákafa
Io: Jack-frukto
Id: Pohon Nangka
Ga: Seacthoradh
Jv: Nangka
Kn: ಹಲಸು
Kk: Джекфрут
Km: ខ្នុរ
Rw: Igifenesi
Kv: Джекфрут
Ko: 잭프루트
Lo: ໝາກມີ້
Lv: Džekfrūts
Lt: Stambusis duonmedis
Mk: Разнолистен лебовец
Ms: Pokok Nangka
Ml: പ്ലാവ്
Mr: फणस
Ne: रुख कटहर
No: Jackfrukt
Or: ପଣସ
Pa: ਕਟਹਲ
Fa: جک‌فروت
Pl: Chlebowiec różnolistny
Pt: Jaca, Jaqueira
Pt-br: Jaqueira
Ru: Джекфрут
Sa: पनसफलम्
Sr: Џекфрут
Sd: فڻس
Si: කොස්
Sk: Chlebovník celistvolistý
Es: Jaqueiro, Árbol del pan, Jaca, Nangka, Jaquero
Su: Nangka
Sw: Mfenesi
Sv: Jackfrukt
Tl: Langka
Ty: ’uru taratoni
Zh-tw: 波羅蜜
Ta: பலா
Te: పనస
Th: ขนุน
Bo: པ་ར་མི་ཏ།
To: Mei ʻinitia
Ug: پارامىتا (مېۋە)
Uk: Джекфрут
Ur: کٹھل
Vi: Mít

Synonyms

• Artocarpus maximus (Blanco)
• Artocarpus integrifolius var. glaber (Stokes)
• Artocarpus brasiliensis (Gomes)
• Artocarpus integrifolius var. heterophyllus ((Lam.) Pers.)
• Polyphema jaca (Lour.)
• Artocarpus grandis (Linden ex Cazzuola & Nencioni)
• Artocarpus philippensis (Lam.)
• Saccus heterophyllus ((Lam.) Kuntze)
• Artocarpus nanca (Noronha)

Distribution

• India (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Laccadive Is. (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Apr 13, 2021 by Paul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Blein-Dezayes Chrystel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2019 by dan succ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2015 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 12, 2019 by Julien Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2019 by Julien Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2020 by ludovic delaunois (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2021 by Paul (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 30, 2020 by Jean-Christophe Lombardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2020 by Andreas Vogelsinger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Mohammad Faruqi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2018 by Vipul Bhardwaj Dr. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2021 by Paul (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 24, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2020 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Cécile Prince (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 22, 2020 by Silvere Beltrando (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2018 by vini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Gerty van der Veen-Kriezen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Aline Nascimento Aline (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Augustin Soulard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Nuong Nguyen (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2984565)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:850389-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth

Sowing: Transplant grafted tree or direct seed indoors and transplant before plant has no more than 4 adult leaves

Spread: {‘cm’: 600}