Artocarpus heterophyllus

The jackfruit plant, scientifically known as Artocarpus heterophyllus, is widespread in South and Southeast Asia and is believed to be native to the southwestern rainforests of the Western Ghats. It is the largest appearance of a trunk that is found in this tree that is more common in tropical lowlands. On average, a tree produces between 100 and 200 fruits per year.

Jackfruit tree or rice tree (Heraliya) is a tree that bears very important fruits as food. This is a type of tree belonging to the mulberry family, and is a tree species native to the South and South Asia of the world.

The jackfruit tree is a tree best suited to tropical lowlands. Its fruits, namely jackfruits, are the largest fruits in the world. These nuts can weigh up to 80 pounds (36 kg) and measure up to 36 inches (90 cm) and 20 inches (50 cm) in diameter.

There are 02 varieties of jackfruit trees. That is Wela(වැල) and Waraka(වරකා). A tree is 60-80 feet tall and bears fruit once a year. A well-grown jackfruit tree can yield up to 40-60 fruits at a time. The weight of a jackfruit on a fruitful tree is between 15-20 kg. The jackfruit tree thrives in the humus soil typical of the lowland wet zone. It is spread by seeds and the seeds are spread by animals like squirrels, crows, relawns.

This plant needs sunlight. Because can get more fruits from the milk is heating up. Although this is an ancient opinion, it is true. An example is the jackfruit season, which runs from April to July of the year. Since ancient times, jackfruit has had an important place as a food. It is also a valuable herb like a food that offers taste properties.

As a curry or boiled and mixed with salt, it is a healthy and strong food for pregnant mothers to give birth to a healthy child. Herbs to increase milk production for lactating mothers. Food is good for developing appetite. In cases where some people have loose stools due to increased stools, if they eat rice with jackfruit decoction or polos gat curry, the stools will pass normally. Fermented jackfruit is rich in nutrients and vitamins. Jackfruits are rich in minerals, so they are good for curing eye diseases and improving eyesight. It is also a medicinal food rich in antioxidants

Artocarpus heterophyllus is part of the catalog of ayurvedic medicinal plants of Sri Lanka.