Editing Breadfruit (section)

== Description ==

Breadfruit trees grow to a height of {{convert|26|m|abbr=off}}.<ref name="morton" /> The large and thick [[leaves]] are deeply cut into [[pinnate]] lobes. All parts of the tree yield [[latex]],<ref name="morton" /> which is useful for boat [[caulking]].<ref name="kew" />

The trees are [[monoecious]], with male and female flowers growing on the same tree. The male [[flower]]s emerge first, followed shortly afterward by the female flowers. The latter grow into [[Head (botany)|capitula]], which are capable of [[pollination]] just three days later. Pollination occurs mainly by [[fruit bats]], but cultivated varieties produce fruit without pollination.<ref name="kew" /> The compound, false fruit develops from the swollen [[perianth]], and originates from 1,500 to 2,000 flowers visible on the skin of the fruit as hexagon-like disks.{{Cn|date=June 2021}}

Breadfruit is one of the highest-yielding food plants, with a single tree producing up to 200 or more grapefruit-sized fruits per season, requiring limited care. In the [[Oceania|South Pacific]], the trees yield 50 to 150 fruits per year, usually round, oval or oblong weighing {{convert|0.25| to |6|kg|sigfig=2}}.<ref name="ntbg" /> Productivity varies between wet and dry areas. Studies in [[Barbados]] indicate a reasonable potential of {{convert|6.7| to |13.4|ST/acre|order=flip}}.<ref name="morton" /> The ovoid fruit has a rough surface, and each fruit is divided into many [[achene]]s, each achene surrounded by a fleshy [[perianth]] and growing on a fleshy [[receptacle (botany)|receptacle]]. Most selectively bred [[cultivar]]s have [[seedless fruit]], whereas seeded varieties are grown mainly for their edible seeds.<ref name="kew" /> Breadfruit is usually propagated using [[root cutting]]s.<ref name="ntbg" />

Breadfruit is closely related to the [[Artocarpus camansi|breadnut]].<ref name="ntbg" /> It is similar in appearance to its relative of the same [[genus]], the [[jackfruit]] (''[[Artocarpus heterophyllus]]'').{{Cn|date=June 2021}} The closely related ''[[Artocarpus camansi]]'' can be distinguished from ''A. altilis'' by having spinier fruits with numerous seeds. ''[[Artocarpus mariannensis]]'' can be distinguished by having dark green elongated fruits with darker yellow flesh, as well as entire or shallowly lobed leaves.<ref name="Diane Ragone- Breadfruit" />

=== Propagation ===
Breadfruit is [[plant propagation|propagated]] mainly by seeds, though [[seedless fruit|seedless]] breadfruit can be propagated by transplanting [[sucker (botany)|suckers]] that grow off the surface roots of the tree.<ref name="morton" /> The roots can be purposefully injured to induce the growth of suckers, which are then separated from the root and planted in a pot or directly transplanted into the ground.<ref name="morton" /> Pruning also induces sucker growth.<ref name="morton" /> Sucker cuttings are placed in plastic bags containing a mixture of soil, [[peat]] and sand, and kept in the shade while moistened with liquid [[fertilizer]]. When roots are developed, the transplant is put in full sun until time for planting in the orchard.<ref name="morton" />

For large-scale propagation, root cuttings are preferred, using segments about {{convert|2|in|cm|-1|disp=flip}} thick and {{convert|9|in|cm|-1|disp=flip}} long.<ref name="morton" /> Rooting may take up to 5 months to develop, with the young trees ready for planting when they are {{convert|2|ft|cm|-1|disp=flip}} high.<ref name="morton" />

===Etymology and common names===
The term ''breadfruit'' was first used in the [[17th century]] to describe the bread-like texture of the fruit when baked.<ref name="ntbg"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Breadfruit |url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/breadfruit_n |publisher=Oxford English Dictionary |access-date=18 November 2023 |date=2023}}</ref> Breadfruit has hundreds of [[variety (botany)|varieties]] and numerous common names varying by its geographic distribution.<ref name="morton" /><ref name="ntbg"/>