Map Endemic achyranthes* ‘äma‘u älula* ‘äwikiwiki bonamia* Clay's Hibiscus* cyperus cyperus sedge eugenia häpu‘u kauila* ko‘oloa‘ula* koa kulu‘ï kupukupu lama loulu palm ma‘o mämaki nänü* ‘ohai (shrub) * ‘ohai (tree) * ‘öhia lehua white hibiscus   Indigenous alahe‘e hinahina ‘ilie‘e ‘ilima kou laua‘e fern naio palapalai pili grass pöhinahina ‘uki‘uki ‘ülei variegated hau   Polynesian Introduced coconut kalo kukui red ginger red ti leaf ti leaf sugar cane ulu   Introduced cotton cup of gold eucalyptus heliconia hibiscus manila palm monstera octopus tree pink tecoma plumbago plumeria tangerine wiliwili     *endangered species

Common Name Breadfruit Hawaiian Name Ulu Scientific Name Artocarpis altilis Pictures Kalama   Leaves Stem Fruits Roots Whole Plant Location On Campus The breadfruit tree is located in the 4th grade garden next to Kalama. Natural Habitat It's natural habitat is in all the main Hawaiian islands and in mountain areas with hot moist climates. Cultural Information The ulu tree is Polynesian introduced. The ancient Polynesians used the tree stem for making surfboards, small canoes, drums, and spears. The sap of the tree was used for healing infected sores and stopping infection usually around the mouth. Plant Description Roots: Fibrous roots Brownish tan in color Rough texture Stem: Woody stem Brown in color Texture is rigid Grows strait up to about 9 meters Leaves: About 30 cm in width Simple leaf Flowers: Male and Female flower grow on the same tree Male flower is club shaped with yellow skin Female has a larger body, with a large receptacle Self pollinating Fruit: Large cluster of the plants ovaries that are fused together Diameter is about 240 cm Polynesians used it for medicine. Seeds: Hawaiian version has no seeds Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Male flower reproduces the female on the same tree Roots shoot out of submerged roots of the main tree  Propagation/ Cultivation: From underground shoots that are from the main tree roots Sometimes cut off to plant an make more breadfruit trees Interesting facts: A single breadfruit can grow to be anywhere from 20 to 25 cm in diameter, and can weigh up to ten pounds Web Site Links  Ho'okele Hawaii If you need to find out how the Polynesians chose the ulu tree and how they made canoes use this site. It shows how they prepared the ulu tree to take the shape of the canoe or any other utensil. National Tropical Botanical Garden For information on the ulu tree, from its fruits size to how it was used for medicine this site can really help. It shows what other medicines were made from the fruit and the rest of the plant. References Abbott, A. Isebella. La'au Hawaii Traditional Hawaiian uses of Plants, Honolulu: Bess Press, 1987. Krauss H. Beatrice. Plants in Hawaiian Medicine, Hawaii: Bess Press Inc., 2001. Lucas, Lois. Plants of old Hawaii, Honolulu: Bess Press, 1982. Return to Top

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