සිංහල

Wal Del - Endemic Tree of Sri Lanka

Scientific Name: Artocarpus nobilis
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Endemic to Sri Lanka

Appearance and Characteristics
  • Wild breadfruit is a large evergreen tree that grows to approximately 15–25 meters in height. Its leaves are thick and dark green, giving the tree a lush and attractive appearance.
  • It grows beautifully near the picturesque streams of Sinharaja, particularly in areas extending toward Galle, Matara, and Ratnapura, as well as deep within the forests of Kanneliya.
  • Flowering can be observed during March each year. The fruits can be harvested during May, June, and July.
Fruits and Uses
  • Wild breadfruit produces fruits that are smaller than those of the common breadfruit, with a rough, bumpy outer surface. When ripe, the fruits turn yellow and are a favored food source for wildlife. Monkeys, squirrels, and certain birds particularly feed on these fruits.
  • The ripe fruits of wild breadfruit can be eaten as a sweet and delicious fruit. Traditionally, rural communities have prepared the fruits in various ways, including as curries, mallung, and stir-fried dishes. The fruit pulp and seeds are also boiled and eaten together. Wild breadfruit is considered both a nutritious and medicinal food.
  • Wild breadfruit has been used for medicinal purposes for generations. Various parts of the plant, including the fruits, bark, oil extracted from the seeds, roots, and latex, have traditionally been used as remedies. In traditional medicine, the fruit and seeds are described as having sweet and astringent properties.
  • Traditionally, eating the ripe fruit is considered beneficial for easing breathing and helping manage asthma. It is also traditionally used to help relieve intestinal worm infections.
  • Oil extracted from the seeds has traditionally been used to help manage ailments associated with excess wind and to assist in treating boils and abscesses.
  • The latex of the plant is also traditionally used to treat certain swellings and intestinal worm-related ailments.
Environmental Importance
  • Wild breadfruit is an important plant species that contributes to Sri Lanka's biodiversity. Its fruits and foliage provide food for wildlife and support the forest food web. The tree also contributes to soil protection and water conservation within forest ecosystems.
  • Due to deforestation and human activities, populations of wild breadfruit have declined in some areas. Protecting this valuable native tree is therefore an important part of conserving Sri Lanka's natural heritage.