M ultiple fruits of the mulberry family are composed of numerous, seed-bearing, ripened ovaries derived from numerous separate flowers. The multiple fruit of a mulberry (Morus) is composed of a cluster of drupelets superficially resembling a blackberry; however, unlike a blackberry, each drupelet arises from a separate minute flower. In the aggregate fruit of a blackberry, all the drupelets of the cluster come from a single flower. The fig (Ficus) is a very unique genus in the mulberry family with a special kind of multiple fruit called a syconium. The pollen-bearing male and seed-bearing female flowers line the inside of a fleshy, flask-shaped structure called a syconium. The tiny female flowers are pollinated by symbiotic female wasps who enter the syconium through a pore (ostiole) at one end. See The Calimyrna Fig & Its Wasp Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) T he jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus) bears massive fruits from the trunk and lower branches. Because the flowers and fruits develop directly from the trunk they are termed cauliflorous. Native to the Indo-Malaysian region, this tree is grown throughout the tropics for its pulpy, edible fruit. According to Charles Heiser (Seed To Civilization, 1973), the fruits may reach nearly three feet (0.9 m) in length and weigh up to 75 pounds (34 kg), thus making them perhaps the largest tree-bearing fruits on earth. Of course, the undisputed world's record for the largest fruit is a mammoth 1,061 pound pumpkin, a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Jackfruit and its close relative, breadfruit (A. altilis), belong to the diverse mulberry family (Moraceae). Since individual jackfruits are composed of many ripened ovaries from many densely-packed female flowers, they are technically referred to as multiple fruits. The flesh of jackfruits is eaten raw or preserved in syrup, and the seeds are eaten after boiling or roasting. In tropical countries it is generally considered inferior to the breadfruit. The remarkable cauliflorous jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), the largest fruit actually produced on a tree. Native to the Indo-Malaysian region, this species now grows throughout tropical regions of the world. The largest fruits may reach nearly 3 feet (0.9 m) in length and weigh up to 75 pounds (34 kg). Remarkable jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus), the largest fruit produced on a tree. Native to the Indo-Malaysian region, this species now grows throughout tropical regions of the world. The largest jackfruits may be nearly three feet (0.9 m) in length and weigh up to 75 pounds (34 kg). The left jackfruit is from the island of Hawaii and the right jackfruit is from Maui. A large jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) cut lengthwise to show the interior composed of numerous seed-bearing ovaries. Each pointed protuberance on the exterior represents a single flower or carpel. Like a pineapple, the jackfruit is called a "multiple fruit" because it is derived from the coalescence of ovaries from many individual flowers plus the fleshy stem axis. Close-up view of a jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) showing the numerous, crowded pistils (carpels). Each carpel represents an individual flower and the entire cluster of fused carpels plus the fleshy sten axis is called a multiple fruit. Canned jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) imported into the U.S. from Thailand. Native to the Indo-Malaysian region, this species now grows throughout tropical regions of the world. Along with durians (Durio zibethinus, Bombacaceae) and soursop (Annona muricata, Annonaceae), these are the largest fruits produced on trees. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) T he breadfruit is native to Polynesia where it is baked, boiled or fried as a starchy, potato-like vegetable and made into bread, pie and puddings. In 1789 Britain sent Captain Bligh on the H.M.S. Bounty to Tahiti to collect breadfruit cuttings for introduction into the New World colonies. Enchanted with the Tahitian way of life, the crew mutinied on the return voyage, putting Bligh off at sea in a small boat with 18 loyal followers. Bligh and his men survived a 3,618-nautical mile, 41-day trip to the East Indies. Undaunted, he returned to Tahiti on a second voyage and successfully introduced breadfruits into the West Indies in 1793. The infamous breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) introduced from Polynesia into the West Indies by Captain Bligh himself. Left: Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis); and Right: Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) on the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Like the pineapple and mulberry, both are multiple fruits composed of numerous ripened ovaries derived from numerous separate flowers. Three examples of multiple fruits: A. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus); B. Pineapple (Ananas comosus); and C. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis). All three fruits are refered to as "multiple fruits" because they are derived from the coalescence of ovaries from many individual flowers plus a fleshy stem axis. See The Pineapple: Another Multiple Fruit Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) A nother very interesting member of the mulberry family is the osage orange (Maclura pomifera). Native to the midwestern and southeastern United States, this species is also known as the hedge apple because it was planted in thicket-like hedge rows before the advent of barbed wire fences. The fruit is neither an orange nor an apple, although it approaches the size of those fruits. Like the breadfruit and jackfruit, it is a true multiple fruit composed of numerous separate ovaries, each arising from a separate female flower. In fact, the bumpy surface of the fruit is due to the numerous, tightly-packed ovaries of the female flowers. The black hairs on the surface of the fruit are styles, each arising from a separate ovary. The wood of osage orange was highly prized by the Osage Indians of Arkansas and Missouri for bows. In fact, osage orange is stronger than oak (Quercus) and as tough as hickory (Carya), and is considered by archers to be one of the finest native North American woods for bows. In Arkansas, in the early 19th century, a good osage bow was worth a horse and a blanket. A yellow-orange dye is also extracted from the wood and is used as a substitute for fustic and aniline dyes in arts and industry. Osage orange (Maclura pomifera), a native North American tree with multiple fruits that are similar in structure to the breadfruit and jackfruit. The bumpy surface of the fruit is due to many tightly-packed ovaries, each with separate styles that appear like black hairs. See Article About Hardwoods Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) The black mulberry (Morus nigra), a monoecious tree native to western Asia. The bumpy surface of the fruit is due to many tightly-packed, seed-bearing ovaries (drupelets), each with separate styles that appear like black hairs. It is technically a multiple fruit (called a syncarp) composed of a cluster of drupelets superficially resembling a blackberry; however, unlike a blackberry, each drupelet arises from a separate, minute, unisexual (female) flower. Individual flowers do not have petals, but have a calyx composed of four minute sepals. The inconspicuous sepals are closely appressed to the ovary, but are visible under 10x magnification. Mulberry flowers are produced in catkins, with male and female catkins on the same tree. Male flowers have four stamens while female flowers have a single pistil. In the aggregate fruit of a blackberry, all the drupelets of the cluster (syncarp) come from a single flower. Milk Tree (Brosimum utile) Milk tree or palo de vaca (Brosimum utile) near Golfito in southern Costa Rica. The milky sap (yellow arrow) is used by locals as a substitute for cream in their coffee. Another species called breadnut (B. alicastrum) also has milk-like sap and edible seeds that are ground into a meal. Custard-Apple Family (Annonaceae) F ruits of the genus Annona (Annonaceae), including the sugar apple (A. squamosa), cherimoya (A. cherimola), custard apple (A. reticulata) and soursop (A. muricata) resemble large fleshy berries with scales or projections on the outer surface. They are not multiple fruits because they develop from a single flower bearing many pistils (carpels). Individual flowers are protogynous with the stigma receptive before the stamens shed pollen. For maximum fruit production in cultivation, the flowers must be hand pollinated. Pollen is collected from mature male flowers and transferred to the sticky white stigmas of female flowers. The large, fleshy, berrylike fruit is technically an aggregate fruit or syncarp formed by the union (aggregation) of many ripened ovaries (carpels) and the fleshy receptacle. The demarcation of each carpel can be identified by spines or scales on the outside. Soursop (Annona muricata) Soursop (Annona muricata), another large, spiny, cauliflorous fruit that may weigh up to 6 pounds (3 kg). Unlike the jackfruit, it belongs to the custard apple family (Annonaceae) and is native to tropical America. This interesting plant family also includes the cherimoya (A. cherimola), custard apple (A. reticulata) and sugar apple or pinha (A. squamosa). Soft, ripe soursops are mostly used for ice creams and sherbets. Soursop (Annona muricata), a large, spiny, cauliflorous fruit that may weigh up to 6 pounds (3 kg). Unlike the jackfruit, it belongs to the custard apple family (Annonaceae) and is native to tropical America. Soft, ripe soursops are mostly used for ice creams and sherbets, or the custard-like flesh can be eaten fresh (preferably chilled). The soursop (Annona muricata) has a spiny exterior and a soft, many-seeded fleshy pulp. It is a large aggregate fruit or syncarp rather than a multiple fruit because the aggregation of carpels (pistils) develops from a single flower. Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa) Sugar Apple or Sweetsop (Annona squamosa), an interesting tropical American fruit in the custard apple family (Annonaceae). Soft, ripe sugar apples have a sweet, custard-like pulp containing several shiny seeds. They are a popular Caribbean dessert, eaten raw (preferably chilled) and in fruit salads, ice creams and drinks. Desiccated fruits of the sugar apple (Annona squamosa), a tropical American tree in the custard apple family (Annonaceae). This species has been introduced throughout tropical regions of the world. Sometimes the unripe fruits dry on the tree and fall to the ground. Resembling small, unopened pine cones, these buoyant fruits are sometimes carried by ocean currents and wash ashore on tropical beaches. See Article About Tropical Drift Seeds & Fruits Cherimoya (Annona cherimola) The cherimoya (Annona cherimola), another delicious fruit of the custard apple family (Annonaceae) native to the northern Andes of South America. The creamy white flesh has the flavor of banana, vanilla, pineapple and mango. The fruits are used in salads, drinks, desserts, ice creams and sherbets. The fleshy fruit of the cherimoya (Annona cherimola) develops from an aggregation of fused pistils (many fused carpels). Typical of an aggregate fruit, there are many seed-bearing carpels (ovaries) produced by a single flower. Each projection corresponds to a single pistil (carpel). Some of the ovaries in the right fruit did not get fertilized; therefore it has not developed fully along the lower side (black arrow). Note: This fruit resembles an atemoya (A. cherimola x A. squamosa); however, I was assured that it is a cherimola by the grower S. Disparti. The fleshy fruit of the cherimoya (Annona cherimola) develops from an aggregation of fused ovaries (carpels) all from a single flower. Each carpel contains a large black seed. This large, fleshy, berrylike fruit is technically an aggregate fruit or syncarp formed by the union (aggregation) of many ripened ovaries (carpels) and the fleshy receptacle. Note: This fruit resembles an atemoya (A. cherimola x A. squamosa); however, I was assured that it is a cherimola by the grower S. Disparti. See Article About Cauliflory

See Botanical Record-Breakers

Largest Fruit In The Gourd Family

Pumpkin: The World's Largest Fruit Pond Apple (Annona glabra) Pond apple (Annona glabra), a cherimoya relative native to swamplands of the southeastern United States. Although not as tasty as its tropical relatives, pond apple provides an important food source for wildlife of this region. N ote: The pawpaw (Asimina trilobata) is a smaller, pulpy berry of the annona family (Annonaceae) that grows wild in North America. It comes from a small deciduous tree native to forested regions of the eastern and southestern United States. Another Interesting Member Of The Annonaceae Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata), an interesting shrub in the Annonaceae native to tropical Asia and northern Australia. It is grown in the tropics as an ornamental and for the fragrant flowers. The unusual blossoms are distilled to obtain "cananga oil" which is used in expensive perfumes. By the way, the popular English pronunciation for this shrub is EE-lang EE-lang. Avalon Organics® products containing the sweet fragrance of ylang-ylang.