''Id 23012012MR1’’ Artocarpus heterophyllus inflorescence at Pune
Madhuri Raut
Nov and Dec 2011
Sharing images of Artocarpus heterophyllus at a private society at Pune
Family Moraceae
Common name Jackfruit
Separate male and female inflorescences are borne on the same tree.
3 types of footstalks or inflorescence bearing special leafy twigs are produced on a tree in each flowering season
TYPE 1: produces only male spikes and this is the first to appear in the flowering season. They occur mainly on the terminal shoots and branches of the tree’s crown and also in the main stem. About 10-15 spikes are borne on each footstalk.
TYPE 2 bears only female spikes 1-3 on each footstalk. They are formed on the main trunk and in some cases as low as 50 cm above ground level. This footstalk is fewer in no as compared to type 1. Virtually all develop into fruit if pollinated
TYPE 3 produces both male and female spikes and spikes are borne on the main trunk or on main branches nearer to the main trunk. Female spikes are few in no 1-3 and are borne in the proximal leaf axils of the footstalk. Male spikes are also few in this type. Only few 1-2 develop into fruit
Whereas male and female inflorescences are similar during early development, the female spike is later distinguished by a thicker peduncle and a large annular disc at the base of the spike. Also female inflorescence buds are shorter and stouter whereas male inflorecence buds are longer and slender.
When young, both male and female spikes are enclosed by a pair of spathe-like stipules which eventually fall off and leave a prominent annular scar on the node.
The male spike has many densely crowded flowers, which may be sterile or fertile. The sterile male flower has a solid perianth: the fertile male flower is tubular and bilobed The individual flower has a single, 12- mm-long stamen and four yellow anthers . Flowers are scented. The male spikes gradually turn black after dehiscence due to growth of mould and drop after about a week
Female spikes have numerous female flowers. Each flower has a stout fleshy receptacle with a white clauvate stigma. Flowers are odorous
I think the tree was affected by some white fungus.
I noticed a strange thing ,another plant was growing on this tree .pic attached. The same plant was planted in pots next to this tree.
Neha Singh
complete pics set.
Gurcharan Singh
--
Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Retired Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.
Phone: 011-25518297 Mob: 9810359089
http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/
