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Artocarpus altilis var. altilis and Artocarpus altilis var. camansi, the differences

SPECIES HEAD TO HEAD - Genus Artocarpus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. has more than 70 recorded species of which breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg) and breadnut (Artocarpus camansi Blanco) grow in tropical areas, both species are medium to large trees and have many similarities.

Some researchers doubt both nomenclatures. I agree that both species should be one species. A. altilis is the domesticated version and widely cultivated in its history, while A. camansi is the original or wild version and has never undergone domestication in history.

Dlium Artocarpus altilis var. altilis and Artocarpus altilis var. camansi 1


Both species have overall similarities including the shape and size of habitus, stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. The only differences are in the skin of the fruit and the size of the seeds as an impact of human cultural selection.

A. altilis has fruit with a pericarp in the form of small and short thorns, while the number of seeds is small and small in size. A. camansi has fruit with a pericarp in the form of larger and longer thorns, while the number of seeds is greater and larger in size.

Dlium Artocarpus altilis var. altilis and Artocarpus altilis var. camansi 2


Both species have the same ancestor, but over time there have been changes in the shape of the fruit. A. altilis is a lineage that has undergone cultural selection which has resulted in a reduction in the size of the thorns on the skin and the size of the seeds, while A. camansi is the original lineage that grows wild until now.

I suggest that Artocarpus altilis become Artocarpus altilis var. altilis and Artocarpus camansi become Artocarpus altilis var. camansi.

By Aryo Bandoro
Founder of Dlium.com. You can follow him on X: @Abandoro.

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