Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg x A. mariannensis Trécul

BREADFRUIT OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
Ulu elise	MORACEAE
Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg x A. mariannensis Trecul
Tokelau	Nukunonu Island	Nukunonu Village
Fruits elongate (up to 30 cm), lumpy, asymmetrical. Pebbly with hard raised or pyramidal
sections flattened on top. Yellow flesh and a few very large seeds. Male inflorescence narrow
15-20 cm. Leaves deeply dissected with 4-5 pairs of lobes. Profuse appressed reddish hairs on
lower veins. Small tree DBH 45 cm.
Ethnobotany - The most common type along with Ulu hamoa, may fruit year round. Typical A.
mariannensis. In 1918 there was only one tree on Fakaofo Island. Supposedly none on Nukunonu
in 1905. Difficult or impossible to grow from roots. Fruits don’t bruise when dropped from a
height. Seeds germinate readily and purportedly grow true to type. Wood occasionally used for
canoes. Preservation: no memory of pit fermentation, all types preserved by being boiled, sliced or
pulled apart, then sun-dried for 3-4 days on pieces of woven coconut (like the shades used to
screen out rain from the houses). Mature or ripe fruits can be prepared this way. Stored in a
woven, airtight coconut frond basket tightly wrapped with cord. Keeps 6-12 months.
Diane Ragone 047 5 Nov 1985	9.10S 171.53W Sealevel Cultivated
NTBG#
Funding provided by NTBG, USP/IRETA/SPRAD
NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN HERBARIUM (PTBG)
04371524