Artocarpus hirsutus, commonly known as wild jack, is a tropical evergreen tree species that is native to India, primarily in Kerala, but also in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, where it grows in moist, deciduous to partially evergreen woodlands.[1]
Artocarpus hirsutus grows as a canopy tree and can reach a height of up to 35m (115feet) and about in girth.[2]
The leaves of this tree are simple and phyllotaxy is alternate. The shape can be described as elliptic or ovate with × size. When it is young it is densely hirsute beneath. The apex of leaf is sub-acute or shortly acuminate, base is rounded or sub-acute, and margins undulate. Ten to twelve pairs of secondary nerves can be visible, and the length of petiole is about .[3]
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.
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.
Artocarpus hirsutus grows at elevations from sea level to around in places with an annual rainfall of or more. The species is endemic to the Western Ghats where it is found in evergreen forests.[2] It is a common tree in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests from South Maharashtra to Kanyakumari
Artocarpus hirsutus 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.[4] The famous snake boats of Kerala are often hewn out of the Anjili's wood.[5] 140 tons of A. hisutus wood from Kerala was used for Tim Severin's ship Sohar, in which he traveled from Muscat to Canton in 1980-81.
The important diseases of Artocarpus hirsutus reported from Southern part of India (Kerala state) are Pink disease (Corticium salmonicolor)[6] & Macrophomina leaf spot (Macrophomina phaseolina).[7]
This tree, locally called anjili in Kerala is used to make Palliyodam, a type of large built and used by Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple in Kerala for the annual water processions of Uthrattathi Jalamela and Valla Sadhya.[8]
