Breadfruit (Fijian: Buco ni viti, Uto buco)

Breadfruit is a species of flowering tree, up to 25 m tall. The large and thick leaves are deeply cut into pinnate lobes. The fruits are 0.25-6 kg and very important in standard diet of Pacific islands. All parts of the tree yield latex, which is useful for boat caulking. The tree is monoecious, with male and female flowers growing on the same tree. It is closely related to Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and Mullberries (Morus sp.). Pollination occurs mainly by fruit bats.

Native of tropical Asia (New Guinea, Maluk Islands, Phillipines). Spread by Austronesian voyagers around 3000 years ago into Micronesia, Melanesia (e.g. Fiji) and Polynesia. Therefore, Breadfruit is not native to the Pacific islands.

Liquid squeezed from the bark is given to remedy chest pain and vomiting resulting from heart trouble. Pressed liquid from the stem bark is employed in the treatment of pain in the maternal postpartum infections. Pressed fluid of the roots is utilized in the treatment of respiratory ailments which include difficult pained breathing. A filtrate of new unfolded leaves is employed as a remedy from fish poisoning.