Artocarpus hirsutus

Artocarpus hirsutus
The bark of A.hirsutus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Tribe: Artocarpeae
Genus: Artocarpus
Species: A. hirsutus
Binomial name
Artocarpus hirsutus
Lam.[1]

Artocarpus hirsutus, known by a variety of names, such as Aini, Aini-maram, Aani, Anhili, Anjili, (Malayalam: ആഞ്ഞിലി), Hebbalasu (Kannada:ಹೆಬ್ಬಲಸು) and the Wild Jack or Jungle Jack is a tropical evergreen tree species that is native to India (Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu), where it prefers moist, deciduous to partially evergreen woodlands.[2][3]

The Artocarpus hirsutus grows in altitudes ranging from sea level to an elevation of 1000 m in places with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm or more. They are endemic to the Western Ghats and are found in its evergreen forests. The canopy tree can reach a height of up to 35 m and about 4.5 m in girth.[4]

The tree is prized for its durable timber which is comparable in quality with teak. The timber was used extensively in the construction of ceilings, door frames and furniture in older buildings, especially in Kerala.[5] The famous snake boats of Kerala are often hewn out of the Aini's wood.[6]

Its flowers are, unisexual, in axillary inflorescences and its fruits are syncarps and very sweet, changing to an orange hue when ripe. Its simple, alternate leaves will ooze latex if broken. It is harvested for its wood.[2][3]

Diseases: The important diseases of Artocarpus hirsutus reported from Southern part of India (Kerala state) are Pink disease (Corticium salmonicolor)[7] & Macrophomina leaf spot (Macrophomina phaseolina).[8]

Fruit

The ripe fruit of A. Hirsutus is eaten after removing the spiny outer skin. The structure of the fruit is similar to that of the much larger jackfruit. The seeds are also edible, usually fried as a snack.

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Encycl. 3(1): 211. 1789 [19 Oct 1789] "Plant Name Details for Artocarpus hirsutus" Check |url= value (help). IPNI. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  2. 1 2 GRIN (November 2, 2006). "Artocarpus hirsutus information from NPGS/GRIN". Taxonomy for Plants. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland: USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  3. 1 2 H.S. Suresh, Harish R. Bhat (December 17, 1998). "Flora". Flora of IIS: Centre for Ecological Sciences. Bangalore, India: Indian Institute of Science. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  4. ↑ http://www.biotik.org/india/species/a/artohirs/artohirs_en.html
  5. ↑ http://parayilat.blogspot.in/2010/11/anjili-tree-of-many-uses.html
  6. ↑ http://www.hindu.com/folio/fo0107/01070420.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/20083207488.html
  8. ↑ http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/20083027095.html

External links

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