What is 'ulu?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
August 11, 2003
Plant Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 |
History Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 |
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Killer Picks: Wollemi Pine, greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century—>Click here.
Remains of a Rainbow, Archipelago, Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures—>Click here.
Airport Express Travel Bag, Carry-on Suitcase, Weeklong Luggage—>Click here.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg) is thought native to the Malaysian Archipelago and adjacent areas--New Guinea and Western Micronesia. As a tropical tree, breadfruit is not tolerant of temperatures below 60 degrees F nor does it grow well where temperatures regularly climb over 100 degrees. Numerous varieties developed as breadfruit were introduced throughout the Pacific Islands by Polynesians.
According to Julia F. Morton, Pacific Islanders used the tree for more than simply food. The tree provided a range of items needed for day-to-day life. In Malaysia, fiber extracted from the inner bark was made into articles of clothing. Fiber from the male inflorescences combined with fiber from the paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) was used for weaving loincloths. Though difficult to extract, the Filipino found the fibers sufficiently strong and durable for harnesses for water buffalo.
The white latex from breadfruit was boiled with coconut oil and served as a water-proof caulking for boats. The caulking colored with mineral soils made paints for their ocean-worthy vessels. Hawaiians used the latex as birdlime, the tacky material spread on the tops of posts ensnared birds. Feathers were plucked from the birds, the latex was removed from their feet, and the birds were set free to grow more feathers. Hawaiians used the feathers for ceremonial capes.
Breadfruit wood is strong and light-weight. Posts of breadfruit wood supported houses and long poles supported the thatched roofing. The distinctive drums used in Hawaiian Hula dancing are from hollowed trunks; surfboards were originally made of breadfruit wood.
In Hawaiian, breadfruit is called 'ulu. The fruit was stored in pits and used for a specific type of poi, 'ulu poi. The fruit was prepared by peeling, halving, and coring. The washed fruit was layered with leaves of ti (Cordyline terminalis) in stone lined pits. The pit was covered with soil and rocks and left to ferment.
The fermentation process was a 'hedge' against lean times. The acidic condition in the pit prevented decay and preserved the breadfruit. Fermented breadfruit remained edible for several years. ("Breadfruit", Fruits of Warm Climates, Julia F. Morton, 1987)
Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawai'i has very informative page on 'ulu or breadfruit and its many uses. To learn more about 'ulu, click on the link:
http://www.canoeplants.com/ulu.html
Plant Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 |
History Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 |
Suggested Reading:
Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg Plant of the Week - August 11, 2003
What is 'ulu? Herbal Folklore - August 11, 2003
What was William's mission? Plants that Changed History - August 12, 2003
How are breadfruit propagated? Weird Plants - August 14, 2003
Who was Parkinson? What's in a Name? - August 15, 2003
Why ghosts gather at breadfruit trees Herbal Folklore - August 18, 2003
Paradise, breadfruit, and mutiny Plants that Changed History - August 19, 2003
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Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
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Wollemi Pine
National Geographic®
Exclusively from National Geographic, this survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.
Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area.
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You can assist in the conservation effort and enjoy the unique opportunity to ensure the continued survival of this rare species by giving the tree as a gift or growing your own. Suitable for indoor container gardening or as a landscape tree in certain areas of the U.S.
Comes with a care manual with the full story about the discovery and fascinating history of the Wollemi pine. Comes in a copper-colored container and will be approximately 10''H when shipped. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plants will fund ongoing conservation research.
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National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic®
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You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.
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Join the Society and bring the adventure of National Geographic into your home!
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