Elephant jack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elephant jack |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Artocarpus
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| Species: |
tamaran
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The Artocarpus tamaran is a fascinating fruit tree from Southeast Asia. You might also hear it called elephant jack in English. In Malay, it's known as tarap tempunan. Local names include timbangan, tamaran, entawa, or wi yang. This tree is a type of flowering plant and belongs to the fig family.
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Discovering the Elephant Jack Tree
The Artocarpus tamaran is a tall and impressive tree. It can grow up to 40 meters (about 130 feet) high. Its main trunk, called a bole, can be as wide as 10 meters (33 feet).
What Does the Tree Look Like?
This tree has special roots called buttresses. These are large, wide roots that help support the tree. They can spread out up to 3 meters (10 feet) from the trunk. The tree also produces a white, milky liquid called latex.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Artocarpus tamaran are oval-shaped. They are quite large, usually 27–35 centimeters (10–14 inches) long and 10–18 centimeters (4–7 inches) wide. The tree has both male and female flowers on the same plant, which is called monoecious. These flowers grow in round clusters called inflorescences. You can find them where the leaves meet the stem.
The Unique Fruit
The fruits of the Artocarpus tamaran are very interesting. They are shaped like cylinders or oblongs. Each fruit is about 10–15 centimeters (4–6 inches) long and 5 centimeters (2 inches) across. The outside of the fruit is covered with short, soft spines. When the fruit is ripe, it turns a yellowish color. Inside, the seeds are covered by a sweet, white, edible part called an aril.
Where Does the Elephant Jack Grow?
The Artocarpus tamaran is special because it is endemic to Borneo. This means it naturally grows only in Borneo and nowhere else in the world.
Natural Homes of the Tree
You can find this tree in different types of forests. It grows in lowland areas, near the coast, and in hill forests. It prefers mixed dipterocarp forests. These are forests with many tall, hardwood trees. The tree also grows in secondary forests. These are forests that have regrown after being disturbed. It can be found at elevations up to 600 meters (about 2,000 feet) above sea level.
How People Use the Elephant Jack
The fruits of the Artocarpus tamaran are a tasty treat. People in Borneo enjoy eating them.
Traditional Uses of the Bark
In the past, the bark of this tree was very important. The Muruts and other tribal groups in Borneo used the bark to make barkcloth. This was a type of fabric made by pounding and processing the tree bark. It was used for clothing and other items.
