Indian-mulberry
Morinda citrifolia
Synonyms: Morinda littoralis, Morinda nodosa, Morinda mudia, Morinda tinctoria var. multiflora, Morinda teysmanniana, Morinda citrifolia f. potteri, Morinda multiflora, Morinda quadrangularis, Morinda macrophylla, Morinda tinctoria var. aspera, Morinda ligulata, Morinda zollingeriana, Morinda aspera, Morinda pubescens var. aspera, Platanocephalus orientalis, Sarcocephalus leichhardtii, Samama citrifolia, Morinda citrifolia var. potteri
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni, Indian mulberry or great morinda, is a small evergreen tree or shrub of the family Rubiaceae, native to a vast area of the tropics extending from south-east Asia through the Indian and Pacific Oceans to northern Australia, and widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere. The plant typically reaches 3โ10 m in height, with a straight trunk, four-angled green branches and conspicuously prominent stipules between the leaf bases. The leaves are opposite, simple, glossy dark green, elliptic to ovate, 15โ40 cm long and 5โ15 cm wide, with entire margins and pinnate venation. Small white tubular flowers, each 1โ1.5 cm long with five spreading lobes, are crowded in dense, globose heads on a short axillary peduncle. The most distinctive feature is the compound fruit (a syncarp), which is ovoid, 5โ10 cm long, fleshy and warty, ripening from green through yellow to translucent whitish, with a pungent, cheese-like odour at maturity; it contains numerous small, hard, reddish-brown seeds. The species is highly tolerant of saline and infertile soils.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
In Hawaiian traditional medicine, young noni fruit pounded with salt or fruit juice was applied for broken bones and deep cuts, serving as both a dermatological and orthopaedic aid, and the leaves were used to prepare medicine (NAEB: Akana, 1922).
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.