Wild Breadfruit - Wal Del

This posted on behalf of Jayarathna Pathiraarachchi.

I did not know this tree existed but I have not tasted its fruit cooked. 

Even, imported Del tree is becoming extinct. We had a Del tree in front of our house and it was felled to make way to park a car. 

Nobody opposed.

I should add the following to this list.

1. Kathuru Murunga

2. Murunga

3. Niwithie or water cabbage 

4. Kohila

5. Kankun

6. Mukunu Wanna

The last is the best of the lot. It has all the essential amino acids and one need not eat chicken or kill a bird in that process.

Wild Breadfruit - Wal Del

වල් දෙල්

The "wild breadfruit of Ceylon" is scientifically known as Artocarpus nobilis, is a tree endemic to Ceylon that produces a popular, nutritious, edible fruit called Ceylon breadfruit or Del in Sinhala. Used in Ayurveda and folk medicine for conditions like diarrhoea, asthma, wound healing and contains various beneficial phytochemicals. The fruit is typically cooked, often by boiling or roasting and is a staple food source, while the tree's latex can cause skin irritation. Common names are Ceylon breadfruit, Wal-del, Baedi-del, and Hingala-del. Endemic to the wet lowland forests of southwestern Ceylon.

A large tree, sometimes growing up to              25 meters tall, with large, bright green leaves and a distinctively structured fruit. The fruit and seeds are edible and are usually cooked, such as by boiling or roasting. The fruit is rich in nutrients, including starch, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Its extracts contain various beneficial compounds like flavanones, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

It provides valuable timber and that has caused its own demise. Artocarpus nobilis is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. International Union for Conservation of Nature is a global environmental network.