| Etymology | Genus | Indian (indicus) Mulberry (Morus); common name to the species Morinda citrifolia |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Having leaves like citrus | |
| Family | Rubiaceae | |
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Noni, Indian Mulberry, Mengkudu | |
| Status | Native: Presumed Extinct | |
| Form | Tree | |
| Native Distribution | China, Japan, Taiwan, India, India Subcontinent, Malesia, Australia | |
Diagnostics:
Morinda citrifolia is a very common small tree cultivated for its fruits or found wild in scrublands or other open areas. The branches are straggly and untidy, and the leaves are glossy, wavy and citrus-like. It flowers and fruits very frequently, and the compound fruit is immediately diagnostic. The fruit turns from green to faint yellow when ripe.
Interesting Facts:
The Noni is frequently occupied by weaver ants. I also noticed many butterflies and sunbirds attracted to the plant, possibly with the lure of nectar from the flowers or developing fruits.
Various parts of the plants are use for traditional medicinal purposes (Samy et al., 2014). The leaves are taken for diarrhoea and applied to wounds; the ripe fruit is eaten for diabetic treatment; the pulp of the fruit is mixed with sugar and taken as a laxative; a poultice of the roots is applied to relieve pain from gout and rheumatism.
The Noni grows as a small tree.
Straggly branches.
Leaves.
Large stipules
Developing fruits with flowers and weaver ants collecting nectar.
Ripe noni fruits.
References
Samy J, M Sugumaran & KLW Lee. (2014) 100 Useful Herbs of Malaysia and Singapore. Marshall Cavendish Edition, Singapore. 247 pp.
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2018-04-15