Artocarpus integer (Thunb.) Merr., Interpr. Herb. Amboin. (1917)

Synonyms
Artocarpus champeden (Lour.) Stokes
Artocarpus hirsutissimus Kurz
Artocarpus integer var. silvestris Corner
Artocarpus integrifolius L.f.
Artocarpus integrifolius var. hirsuta Stokes
Artocarpus jaca Lam.
Artocarpus macrocarpon (Thunb.) Dancer
Artocarpus pilosus Reinw. ex Miq.
Artocarpus polyphemus Pers.
Polyphema champeden Lour.
Radermachia integra Thunb.
Saccus arboreus minor Rumph.
Saccus integer Kuntze
Sitodium macrocarpon Thunb.

Diagnostics
Tree with abundant white sap. Stipules large, surrounding the twigs, leaving circular scar when dropped. Leaves alternate, simple. Fruit placed on large branches and stem, large, 20-35 cm long, knobly, barrel-shaped syncarp, green-yellowish, with seeds in yellow flesh.

Description
Evergreen monoecious tree, up to 33 m tall and 56 cm dbh, seldom buttressed, bark grey-brown, bumps on trunk and main limbs where leafy twigs are produced which bear the fruits. Twigs, stipules and leaves with brown wiry hairs to 3 mm long; twigs 2.5-4 mm thick, with annulate stipular scars. Stipules ovate, up to 9 cm long. Leaves obovate to elliptic, 5-25 cm x 2.5-12 cm, base cuneate to rounded, margin entire, apex acuminate; lateral veins 6-10 pairs, curving forward; petiole 1-3 cm long. Inflorescences solitary, axillary, cauliflorous or ramiflorous on short leafy shoots; male heads cylindrical, 3-5.5 cm x 1 cm, whitish-yellow, peduncle 3-6 cm long; female heads with simple filiform styles, exserted to 1.5 mm. Fruit a syncarp, cylindrical to almost globose, 20-35 cm x 10-15 cm, yellowish to brownish to orange-green, smelling strongly at maturity, smooth or covered by closely set, firm, obtuse prickles or processes of 2-4 mm length; peduncle 5-9 cm long, wall ca. 1 cm thick; fruiting perianths numerous, soft, fleshy, becoming detached from wall and core. Pericarps (including the seeds) ellipsoid to oblong, ca. 3 cm x 2 cm, cotyledons unequal, thick and fleshy. [from PROSEA]

Ecology
Chempedak is a common tree in secondary forests and locally abundant in primary lowland rain forest in its area of natural occurrence. It is a long-lived sub-canopy tree. It grows up to 500(-1300) m altitude, often on wet hillsides. It is strictly tropical and always restricted to regions without a distinct dry season. The tree thrives on fertile well-drained soils, but prefers a fairly high water table (0.5-2 m); it can survive periodic flooding, even with acid swamp water (Sumatra: Palembang, Palopo).

Uses
The fleshy perianths which surround the seeds are eaten fresh or cooked. The flesh, typically yellow or orange, sometimes white to pinkish, is soft and mushy with a strong and very characteristic odour. The flavour is sweet, resembling durian and mango, and is considered by some to be superior to that of the jackfruit. In Malaysia 2-3 perianth-balls are pressed together, dipped in a mixture of rice-flour, sugar, milk and water, fried in oil for 10 minutes, and eaten as a delicacy. The seeds are eaten roasted or boiled (in salty water for 30 minutes) and have a nutty flavour. Young fruits are cooked in coconut milk and eaten as a curried vegetable or in soup. Young leaves are said to be used as a vegetable. The dark yellow to brown wood is strong and durable and used for building construction, furniture and boats. The bark can be used to make rope and the latex for the preparation of lime.

Distribution
Burma, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes, Moluccas, New Guinea.

Local names
Borneo: Banturung manuk, Bukoh, Chempedak, Mengkahai, Nakan, Pulutan, Temedak, Temedak man.
Burma: sonekadat.
English: Chempedak (En).
Indonesia: chempedak, campedak (Malay), baroh (Lingga).
Malaysia: chempedak (cultivated), bankong (wild), baroh (Johor).
Thailand: champada.