The Marang Fruit
Commonly called the Marang Fruit, Artocarpus odoratissimus is related to the Jackfruit and does have similarities in look. This is a tropical evergreen fruit tree and is grown for the fruits which are said to have a number of health benefits.
The fruit has a sweet taste and a pungent perfume. The fruits are medium sized reaching around 20 cms (6 inches) in length and weigh nearly 1kg. The fruit are not widely found for sale as they have a short shelf life.
They also need to be consumed immediately after opening, so are usually picked before ripening and allowed to ripen further off the tree, and then eaten. Unripe fruit is bitter to taste. As soon as they are open the fruit begins to oxidise and looses its sweetness.
The fruit is the actual pulpy, numerous seeds, and with white to yellow flesh . It is the pulp of the fruit that is eaten, not the seeds which are inedible unless they are roasted.
Care
Unless you live in far North Queensland or as close a climate you can get to Borneo or the Philippines you will have difficulty in growing this tree.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Artocarpus odoratissimus
- Common Name – Marang Fruit.
- Position – Tropical rainforest.
- Soil – Well drained, moist, humus rich.
- Height – To around 20 – 25 metres.
- Width – To around 10 metres
- Growth rate – Fast first and then medium, trees will fruit within 5 years in good conditions.
- Foliage – Mid green.
- Flowers – Orange
- Flowering time – summer
- Fruit – Green turning to brown as they ripen
- Frost tolerant – No
- Drought tolerant – No
- Propagation – Seeds or cuttings
Information only – Not readily available for sale in Australia