Artocarpus hirsutus

Description

Artocarpus hirsutus grows as a canopy tree and can reach a height of up to 35 m and about 4.5 m in girth.

The leaves of this tree are simple and phyllotaxy is alternate. The shape can be described as elliptic or ovate with 10-25 cm × 5-14 cm size. When it is young it is densely hirsute beneath. The apex of leaf is sub-acute or shortly acuminate, base is rounded or sub-acute, and margins undulate. Ten to twelve pairs of secondary nerves can be visible, and the length of petiole is about 1.5-3 cm.

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.

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.

Distribution and habitat

Artocarpus hirsutus grows at elevations from sea level to around 1000 m in places with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm or more. The species is endemic to the Western Ghats where it is found in evergreen forests. It is a common tree in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests from South Maharashtra to Kanyakumari

Uses

Artocarpus hirsutus 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. The famous snake boats of Kerala are often hewn out of the Anjili's wood. 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.

Diseases

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

In culture

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

Gallery

File:Artocarpus hirsutus 8930.jpg|seedling File:Artocarpus hirsutus immature fruits from Tuvvur, Kerala, India.JPG|Unripe fruit File:Artocarpus hirsutus fruit.jpg|Ripe fruit File:Artocarpus hirsutus fungal infection.JPG|Trunk with fungal infection

References

References

1. Barstow, M.. (2018). "''Artocarpus hirsutus''".
2. "Plant Name Details for ''Artocarpus hirsutus''". [[International Plant Names Index.
3. {{GRIN
4. H.S. Suresh, Harish R. Bhat. (December 17, 1998). "Flora". [[Indian Institute of Science]].
5. "Artocarpus hirsutus - MORACEAE".
6. Page, Navendu. (2017). "Endemic Woody Plants of the Western Ghats". Trail Blazer Printers and Publishers.
7. (15 November 2010). "Song of the waves - Parayil A. Tharakan Blog: Anjili, a tree of many uses".
8. "Aqua craft".
9. (31 March 2025). "Occurrence of pink disease of Artocarpus hirsutus in India".
10. (2007). "First report of macrophomina leaf spot (Macrophomina phaseolina) on Artocarpus hirsutus in India". Plant Archives.
11. "Explained: What is a Palliyodam, and why a Kerala actor was arrested for photoshoot on it". thenewsminute.