The jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a species of tree in the
Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family (Moraceae). It is native to
parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. Jackfruit is the national fruit of
Bangladesh, and is known as "kathal." The jackfruit tree is believed to
be indigenous to the southwestern rain forests of India. It is widely
cultivated in tropical regions of the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka,
Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia. Jackfruit is also found in East
Africa, e.g., in Uganda and Mauritius, as well as throughout Brazil and
Caribbean nations like Jamaica. It is well suited to tropical lowlands,
and its fruit is the largest tree-born fruit, reaching as much as 80
pounds (36 kg) in weight and up to 36 inches (90 cm) long and 20 inches
(50 cm) in diameter.
