Artocarpus
(from artos, bread, and carpos, fruit; the fruit, when baked, resembling bread). Bread Fruit. SYNS. Polyphema, Rademachia, Rima. ORD. Urticaceae. TRIBE Artocarpeae. Included in this most remarkable tribe, in addition to the Bread-fruit Tree, are the virulent poisonous Antiaris toxicaria and the economic Cow Tree (Brosimum Galactodendron) of Caraccas. A genus of stove evergreen trees, requiring a high and very moist atmosphere, a copious supply of water, perfect drainage, and a compost of two parts rich loam and one of leaf mould, with the addition of a little silver sand. Under all conditions, this genus is difficult to propagate; the young and slender lateral growths are adapted for cuttings; and suckers may be utilised when procurable, which is very rare.
A Cannoni (Cannon's).* l. alternate, petiolate; petiole and midrib bright red; upper surface glossy, of a rich, full bronzy crimson hue, beautifully tinted with purple; under surface bright vinous red. The leaves vary much in form; some are simple and cordate at the base, with the apex irregularly lobate; some have the apex regularly three-lobed, with short, entire lobes; and others, again, are deep three-lobed, being divided nearly to the base, the segments, of which the centre one is largest, being slightly sinuatelobed. h. 7ft. Society Islands, 1877. This is a most distinct and handsome ornamental-leaved plant.
A. incisa (incised).* True Bread Fruit. l. from 2ft. to 3ft. long, deeply lobed or incised, deep green on the upper side, paler below. h. 50ft. South Sea Islands, 1793. This is a noble tree when full grown, and forms a most distinct and beautiful stove plant. The extraordinary fruit is produced from the axils of the leaves in large globular heads, and is highly valued as an article of food in its native country.
A integrifolia (entire-leaved). l. oblong, undivided, sinuated, scabrous, downy beneath. h. 30ft. India, 1778.
A. laciniata metallica (laciniate, metallic). l. bronzy above, reddish purple beneath. Polynesia.