Fruta de Pan
Artocarpus altilis
Native Region
Pacific Islands (naturalized in Caribbean)
Max Height
15-25 meters (50-82 feet)
Family
Moraceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-800m
Regions
- Limón
- Puntarenas
Season
Flowering
Mar-May
Fruiting
Jun-Oct
Fruta de Pan (Breadfruit)
Fruta de Pan (Artocarpus altilis) is gaining recognition as a sustainable food crop for the 21st century. This highly productive tree arrived in the Caribbean from the Pacific Islands and has become a beloved staple in Costa Rica's Afro-Caribbean communities.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Artocarpus altilis
- Family
- Moraceae (Mulberry)
- Max Height
- 15-25 m (50-82 ft)
- Fruit Season
- June-October
- Conservation
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Origin
- Pacific Islands
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
3500
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. Browse all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
Geographic Distribution
Geographic Distribution
Where to Find Breadfruit in Costa Rica
Primary Habitats:
- Caribbean Coast — Limón Province, especially Cahuita and Puerto Viejo
- Afro-Caribbean communities — Home gardens and small farms
- Pacific lowlands — Occasional plantings
- Humid tropical areas — Requires consistent rainfall
Elevation: Sea level to ~800 m (best below 500 m)
Habitat & Ecology
Growth Characteristics
Breadfruit trees are fast-growing and highly productive:
- Rapid growth — 1-2 m per year when young
- Early bearing — Fruit in 3-5 years
- High yields — 200+ fruits per tree annually
- Long lifespan — Can live 80+ years
- Shade tolerant — Grows in partial shade
Wildlife Associations
Animals that interact with breadfruit:
- Fruit bats — Major pollinators and seed dispersers
- Birds — Consume ripe fruit
- Monkeys — Eat fruit when available
- Insects — Visit male flowers
- Rats — Can damage fruit
Breadfruit is increasingly recognized as an important food security crop for climate change adaptation. A single tree can produce enough food to feed a family, requires minimal inputs, and sequesters carbon.
Botanical Description
The breadfruit tree develops a tall, straight trunk with a rounded, spreading crown. All parts of the tree contain white latex that flows when cut.
Uses & Applications
Breadfruit can be prepared in countless ways: roasted whole, fried as chips, boiled and mashed, baked into bread, fermented, or dried into flour. It's nutrient-rich, providing carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Cultural Significance
Breadfruit in Costa Rica
Caribbean Heritage:
- Afro-Caribbean cuisine — Traditional dishes passed down generations
- Limón Province — Common in home gardens
- Food security — Reliable staple crop
- Cultural identity — Symbol of Caribbean Costa Rican heritage
- Rondón (Rundown) — Traditional coconut stew often includes breadfruit
Breadfruit's arrival in the Caribbean is tied to the infamous HMS Bounty mutiny of 1789. Captain William Bligh was transporting breadfruit plants from Tahiti to Jamaica when the crew mutinied. Bligh later succeeded on a second voyage, establishing breadfruit throughout the Caribbean.
Growing Breadfruit
Vegetative Propagation (Most Common):
- Root cuttings — Most reliable method
- Root suckers — Dig and transplant
- Air layering — Works well
- Stem cuttings — Possible but less common
- Note: Most varieties are seedless
Where to See Breadfruit Trees
Best Locations in Costa Rica
Caribbean Coast:
- Cahuita — Common in village gardens
- Puerto Viejo — Afro-Caribbean communities
- Limón — Urban and peri-urban areas
- Tortuguero area — Occasional plantings
How to Identify:
- Enormous, deeply lobed leaves
- Large, round, green bumpy fruit
- White latex when any part is cut
- Straight trunk with spreading crown
External Resources
Community observations, photos, and distribution data
Global observations
Research and conservation of breadfruit
National Tropical Botanical Garden
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Ragone, D. (1997). Breadfruit: Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome
Jones, A.M.P. et al. (2011). Nutritional and morphological diversity of breadfruit. Economic Botany 65(3):264-270
The Fruta de Pan (Artocarpus altilis) embodies the cultural connections between the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean. In Costa Rica's Limón Province, breadfruit trees stand as living reminders of Afro-Caribbean heritage, providing nutritious food and connecting communities to their ancestors who brought this remarkable tree across the oceans.
🍞 ¡Pura Vida!
