In 1788, Pomare I, a Tahitian chief, began unifying the nearby islands into the Kingdom of Tahiti. It was one of several independent entities in Oceania. Tahiti became a French protectorate in 1842 and was allowed to retain a degree of self-government, but in 1880, Tahiti was annexed as a French colony.
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Artocarpus altilis - Breadfruit has its origins in the Melanesian region of Oceania and was carried further east by the Polynesian people as they migrated from island to island. The plant, when cooked, has a texture similar to bread. Having high levels of starch, the fruit has the taste of potatoes. The tree is fast growing and provides a nutritious fruit. Cultivated trees require minimal labor, fertilizer or pesticides in bringing forth a bountiful harvest; a mature tree can supply 250 fruits annually and has a life expectancy of almost 50 years.
