Bread Fruit Tree

Description:

The breadfruit tree is handsome and fast growing, reaching 85 ft (26 m) in height, often with a clear trunk to 20 ft (6 m) becoming 2 to 6 ft (0.6-1.8 m) in width and often buttressed at the base, though some varieties may never exceed 1/4 or 1/2 of these dimensions. There are many spreading branches, some thick with lateral foliage-bearing branchlets, others long and slender with foliage clustered only at their tips. The leaves, evergreen or deciduous depending on climatic conditions, on thick, yellow petioles to 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm) long, are ovate, 9 to 36 in (22.8-90 cm) long, 8 to 20 in (20-50 cm) wide, entire at the base, then more or less deeply cut into 5 to 11 pointed lobes. They are bright-green and glossy on the upper surface, with conspicuous yellow veins; dull, yellowish and coated with minute, stiff hairs on the underside.

Habitat:

This tree was growing near an old rum distillery on Tortula, BVI.

Notes:

Breadfruit has lumpy green flesh and a potato-like texture It is widely eaten in the Pacific Islands and scientists are encouraging the planting of trees in countries with poor food security One breadfruit, which weighs around seven lbs (3kg) provides the carbohydrate portion of a meal for a family of five It can be can be ground into flour and used to make pancakes The fruit is rich in vitamins and is a source of carbohydrate and protein The protein in the fruit has a higher proportion of aminio acids than soy Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/articl... Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook