Jackfruit

No matter how you spell it, Jakfruit or Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus is the largest fruit that grows on a tree in the world.  It is native to India, but it has been cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and right here in our own backyard of South Florida. The fruit grows on the trunks of the trees and old growth branches. While most fruit weighs an average of 20-40 pounds, there has been fruit weighing in at 100 to 120 pounds and 35″ long with a diameter of 20″. August is the peak month for ripe Jackfruit, but green fruit, used in cooking, can be harvested as early as May and June. Ripe jackfruit is very sweet and has a pineapple, banana flavor. Green jackfruit is used in many vegetarian recipes and actually has a meat-like texture.

Richard Lyons Nursery currently has several fruits on the trees in various stages of ripeness.