Wild Jack.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Tropical evergreen tree

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

20 to 30 meters

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to ensure the roots stay healthy. Watch for yellowing leaves which might signal overwatering or poor drainage. It appreciates high humidity and protection from harsh, drying winds.

Watering

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Remove dead or crossing branches once a year to maintain tree shape.

Repotting

Repot only when the tree has clearly outgrown its container.

Soil

Deep, fertile, well draining soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

70 to 95%

Safety

People

The milky latex sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Pets

The milky sap can cause irritation if ingested or touched by pets.

Children

The fruit contains large seeds that pose a choking hazard to small children.

Contact allergens

The latex sap may cause contact dermatitis.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may cause mild respiratory irritation during the flowering season.

Edibility

The seeds must be cooked thoroughly before consumption to neutralize potential irritants.

How to identify it

• Large, leathery, dark green leaves
• Hairy, bristly texture on young twigs
• Rough, spiky, round to oblong fruit
• Milky white latex sap in stems
• Sturdy, upright, evergreen growth habit

Height

15 to 25m

Spread

8 to 15m

Leaves

dark green, evergreen

Flowers

yellowish green, 2 to 5cm

Fruit

yellow, brown, Summer to early autumn

Problems to watch for

• Fruit rot · Fungal infection occurring during periods of excessive humidity.
• Stem borer · Larvae tunnel into the trunk, weakening the structural integrity of the tree.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, early monsoon

Plant shade loving spices beneath the canopy to utilize the vertical space efficiently.

Grows well with

• Cardamom · It thrives in the dappled shade provided by the canopy.
• Black Pepper · This vine often uses the tree trunk as a natural support.

Similar species

• Jackfruit · It is a close relative with much larger, smoother fruits.

Science

Family

Moraceae

Genus

Artocarpus

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Western Ghats of India

Conservation

It is considered a vulnerable species in parts of its native range due to habitat loss.

This tree thrives in the high rainfall, humid environment of tropical evergreen forests.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, fruit source for birds and mammals

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Uses

culinary fruit, timber production, ornamental shade tree

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?

It is generally too large for long term container growth.

How do I eat the fruit?

The seeds are typically roasted or boiled, while the fleshy pulp is eaten raw or cooked.

Where the name comes from

The name Artocarpus comes from the Greek words for bread and fruit, while hirsutus refers to the hairy texture of the fruit rind.

Good to know

• The tree is commonly known as the Wild Jackfruit.
• Its timber is highly valued for its durability and resistance to termites.
• The fruits are covered in stiff, hair like bristles, which gives the species its name hirsutus.
• It is a keystone species in the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs