Artocarpus hirsutus

Artocarpus hirsutus, commonly known as wild jack,[1] is a tropical evergreen tree species that is native to India, primarily in Kerala, but also in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, where it prefers moist, deciduous to partially evergreen woodlands.[3][4]

Artocarpus hirsutus
Bark
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Artocarpus
Species:
A. hirsutus
Binomial name
Artocarpus hirsutus

The Artocarpus hirsutus grows in altitudes ranging from sea level to an elevation of 1000 m in places with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm or more. They are endemic to the Western Ghats and are found in its evergreen forests. The canopy tree can reach a height of up to 35 m and about 4.5 m in girth.[5]

The tree is prized for its durable timber which is comparable in quality with teak. The timber was used extensively in the construction of ceilings, door frames and furniture in older buildings, especially in Kerala.[6] The famous snake boats of Kerala are often hewn out of the Aini's wood.[7] 140 tons of A. hisutus wood from Kerala was used for Tim Severin's ship Sohar, in which he traveled from Muscat to Canton in 1980-81.

Its flowers are unisexual, in axillary inflorescences and its fruits are syncarps and very sweet, changing to an orange hue when ripe. Its simple, alternate leaves will ooze latex if broken. It is harvested for its wood.[3][4]

Fruit

The ripe fruit of A. hirsutus is eaten after removing the spiny outer skin. The structure of the fruit is similar to that of the much larger jackfruit. The seeds are also edible, usually fried as a snack.

Diseases

The important diseases of Artocarpus hirsutus reported from Southern part of India (Kerala state) are Pink disease (Corticium salmonicolor)[8] & Macrophomina leaf spot (Macrophomina phaseolina).[9]

In Culture

This tree , locally called anjili in Kerala is used to make Palliyodam, a type of large built and used by Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple in Kerala for the annual water processions of Uthrattathi Jalamela and Valla Sadhya.[10]

  • Unripe fruit
  • Ripe fruit
  • Trunk with fungal infection

References
  1. Barstow, M.; Deepu, S. (2018). "Artocarpus hirsutus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T61220325A61220328. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T61220325A61220328.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. Encycl. 3(1): 211. 1789 [19 Oct 1789] "Plant Name Details for Artocarpus hirsutus". IPNI. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  3. "Artocarpus hirsutus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  4. H.S. Suresh, Harish R. Bhat (December 17, 1998). "Flora". Flora of IIS: Centre for Ecological Sciences. Bangalore, India: Indian Institute of Science. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  5. "Artocarpus hirsutus - MORACEAE".
  6. "Song of the waves - Parayil A. Tharakan Blog: Anjili, a tree of many uses". 15 November 2010.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2012-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "How to access research remotely".
  9. "How to access research remotely".
  10. "Explained: What is a Palliyodam, and why a Kerala actor was arrested for photoshoot on it". thenewsminute. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
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