Breadfruit or ʻUlu

Description:

Artocarpus altilis, also commonly known as breadfruit or ʻUlu is a flowering plant that is a part of the mulberry family. Breadfruit trees grow to a maximum height of about 82 feet. Leaves are large, thick and green in color. Green grapefruit-sized fruits are found on the tree.

Habitat:

This plant is found throughout the tropics around the world. It is believed that the plant was first found by early polynesians in New Guinea about 3500 years ago. The plant grows best below elevations of 2130 feet. This particular plant was found in Kapalama, Hawaiʻi.

Notes:

The breadfruit was commonly baked and eaten, the breadfruit has a potato-like flavor when baked. Its name "breadfruit" is derived from the texture and taste of the fruit when it is baked. In ancient Hawaiʻi, the sticky latex material from the fruit was used as a glue and as a sticky material to catch birds. The leaves were also commonly used as a sandpaper because of its rough texture.