Artocarpus altilis

Breadfruit

Artocarpus altiilis, commonly known as breadfruit, is a versatile tropical tree prized for its nutrient-dense, starchy fruit. Beyond its culinary importance as a staple carbohydrate, it possesses significant medicinal properties. Traditionally, various parts of the plant are utilized to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues in herbal medicine.

  • Scientific name: Artocarpus altilis
  • Family: Moraceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, scientifically known as Artocarpus altilis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Rosales and the family Moraceae. It is further categorized under the genus Artocarpus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Rosales WCVP
Family Moraceae WCVP
Genus Artocarpus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, scientifically known as Artocarpus altilis, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In English, it is widely known as the breadfruit, while in French, it is called the arbre à pain. In German, the name used is Brotfruchtbaum, and in Russian, it is referred to as хлебноe дерево. Additionally, in Arabic, it is known as خبزية محزووزة.
Language Common Name Source
ru хлебное дерево Wikidata
fr arbre à pain Wikidata
en breadfruit Wikidata
de Brotfruchtbaum Wikidata
ar خبزية محزوزة Wikidata
az çörək ağacı Wikidata
bcl Rimas Wikidata
be Хлебнае дрэва Wikidata
bo གོ་རེ་ཤིང་འབྲས། Wikidata
ca arbre del pa Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as Artocarpus altilis, exhibits a specific distribution throughout the tropical regions of Africa. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in both Gambia and Guinea. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the Central African Republic. Additionally, the species is documented in Cameroon, which is also part of the West-Central region. Finally, its range reaches the Gulf of Guinea Islands, completing its geographical profile in these areas.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Central African Republic WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Gulf of Guinea Is. WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Chagos Archipelago WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Comoros WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Seychelles WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Artocarpus altilis, commonly known as breadfruit, contains various parts that possess unique medicinal and biological properties. The large, deeply lobed leaves are often utilized in traditional remedies for their topical applications, while the heartwood provides structural stability and contains bioactive compounds. The edible fruit serves as a vital nutritional source, but beyond sustenance, other components like the cortex of the roots are frequently studied for their potential pharmacological benefits. Additionally, the bud covers play a protective role in the plant's development, contributing to the overall chemical complexity of this versatile species.
Total parts
7
Scientific sources
8
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 2 ★☆☆☆☆
heartwood 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cortex of the roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bud covers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
branches 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Artocarpus altilis has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Artocarpus altilis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include MCF-7 cells, blood glucose, cancer, hypertension, inflammation.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
MCF-7 cells 1 ★☆☆☆☆
blood glucose 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypertension 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
type 1 diabetes 1 ★☆☆☆☆