Marang, Terap
Artocarpus odoratissimus

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

Artocarpus odoratissimus, otherwise known as marang, terap, timadang, johey, oak, green pedalai, tarap, or madang, is a large, tropical, evergreen tree. It is native to the Philippines, particularly in Palawan and Mindanao, and Borneo. It can grow up to 25 m high and its trunk can reach up to 50 cm in diameter. It is known for its sweet, fleshy, and juicy fruits that are said to be superior to the jackfruit and cempedak. Ripe fruits are eaten fresh and immature fruits are cooked as vegetables. The seeds are either consumed roasted or boiled. The latex obtained from the tree is used for treating inflammation from wounds. The leaves are large and sometimes used as thatch. The wood can be used for light constructions, box-making, and crates.

Artocarpus odoratissimus is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant is not wind tolerant.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

Secondary forests up to 1,000 metres altitude on sandy clay soils in Thailand. Evergreen forests.

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Asia, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, USA.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Edible portion: Fruit, Seeds, Nuts. The ripe fruits are fleshy, aromatic, sweet and juicy - similar to the jackfruit (A. heterophyllus) but of much better quality. Usually eaten as a dessert fruit, they are considered to be the finest fruit in Brunei. The unripe fruit can be eaten as a boiled vegetable. The roundish to oblong fruit is quite large, averaging about 16cm long and 13cm in diameter. The rind of the fruit is said to be edible. Thick and fleshy. Seed - roasted or boiled and eaten. Seeds boiled for 30 minutes in salty water have a delicious nutty flavour. Roasted seeds have a flavour similar to sweet chestnuts. The whitish seed is about 8 _ 15mm in size.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses: None known

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A plant of lowland humid tropics, succeeding at elevations up to 1,000 metres, it grows best in regions with abundant and equally distributed rainfall. Prefers a deep, well-drained soil. Young plants need some shade, but need increasing light levels as they mature. Trees as young as 4 - 6 years can begin to bear fruit. Yields of 4 - 6 tonnes per hectare have been achieved. The fruits are borne at the end of long flexible branches and ripe fruits are heavy, fragile and difficult to reach for harvest. Mature fruits are usually harvested by hand with the help of a curved knife attached to the end of long bamboo pole. Getting at the heavy fruit at the end of slender twigs is hazardous. The delicate fruit really should be caught to break the fall, it has a very short shelf life. A tree produces about 180 fruit per season.

Propagating it: Seed - it has a short viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe. The seed germinates best at a temperature of 24 - 27c. Germination is often 100% within 4 weeks. Plants are spaced 12-14 m apart. Root cuttings. Air layering. Plants can be grafted.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Artocarpus odoratissimus, otherwise known as marang, terap, timadang, johey, oak, green pedalai, tarap, or madang. Other Names: Marang, Beluli, Kian, Muntorong, Pingan, Tarap, Terap, Pi-ien, Keiran, Loloi, Morang, Marang-banguhan, Timadang, Keiran, Pingan, Tekalong, Benturung, Jarap hutan.

Synonyms

Artocarpus mutabilis Becc. Artocarpus tarap Becc.