Botanical Description
Langka (Artocarpus heterophyllus) also known as Jackfruit is a medium sized tree that typically grows up to 20 meters in height but can exceed that and reach up to 30 meters with dark grey to grey-brown bark. Its leaves are coriaceous and obovate but can be elliptic-oblong in shape as well, the margins are entire, the adaxial side is smooth while the abaxial side is rough. The tree is deciduous and leaves leaf scars upon abscission. The flowers are cauliflorous and develop into a syncarp, the fruit once ripe is a green or greenish-yellow color with multiple oblong shaped seeds with a thin leathery testa.
Uses:
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The fruit is eaten both when ripe and even when young as a vegetable, the young fruit can also be pickled. Its pulp is rich in carbohydrates and vitamin C.
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The seeds can also be eaten by boiling or roasting them.
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The leaves are used to treat skin diseases, wounds, ulcers, fever, abscesses, and even diabetes.
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The roots are said to help with diarrhea, fever, and asthma.
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The latex exuded by the tree has multiple uses, for one it is used to reduce swelling and to treat snake bites. The latex can be ingested in large doses to induce bowel movement. The latex is also used to create birdlime, cement, and varnish.
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The seeds are said to have an aphrodisiac property when ingested, they are also used to address biliary colic.
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The bark is said to have sedative properties as well as being able to treat fever, boils, wounds, and various skin diseases. The bark also yields a fiber which can be used to make rope and even clothing.
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The wood is also to have sedative properties as well. The wood is termite resistant and can be used for construction, furniture, and instrument making. The wood chips are used as a source of yellow or red-orange dye.
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The fruit is said to help with mitigating the effects of ingesting alcohol, however the fruit is also used to flavor lambanog as it apparently increases its potency. Likewise, the fruit can also be fermented to produce an alcoholic beverage.