Kwaimuk
Artocarpus hypargyreus
Family: Moraceae
What it is like
A small evergreen tree. It grows 10-25 m high. The trunk is 40 cm through. The bark is dark purple and peels off. The young branches have white hairs. The leaves are alternate. The leaf stalk is 1.5-2 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 8-15 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. The leaves are lobed on young plants. Leaves are dark green on top and whitish green underneath. There are 6-7 secondary veins on each side of the midrib. Flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. Male flowers are 1.5-2 cm long by 1.1-5 cm wide. The fruit are small, round and yellow. It is 5-7 cm across. The fruit can be seeded or seedless. The seeds are edible.
There are about 50 Artocarpus species. They are in the tropics and subtropics of Asia and the Pacific.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It can withstand a little wind and drought. In China it grows in broad leafed forest between 100-1700 m altitude in southern China. It cannot tolerate frost. In garden at Miallo.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Cayman islands, China (country/location of origin), Cuba, North America, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten fresh. It can be preserved in syrup or dried.
The fruit are sweet. They are also sold.
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds
How it is grown
The tree is slow growing. Fruit should be picked when fully ripe.
Its other names
Local names
Bai gui mu