Indian mulberry, Noni
Morinda citrifolia

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows 4-10 m tall and spreads 2-6 m wide. The branches are thick and somewhat 4 angled. It has large oval leaves which grow opposite each other along a four sided shiny branch. The leaves have a small leaf like appendage at the base of the leaf stem which is fused into a type of sheath. The leaves are 12.5-31 cm long by 6.2-15 cm wide. The stalks are 0.6-2.5 cm long. The flowers are numerous. They are 1.5 cm across. They grow in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are rounded and small each with two 1-seeded nutlet. The fruit are yellowish white when mature, with warty looking lumps. They are about 6 cm across. The fruit is a little like soursop and has an unpleasant smell when ripe.

The fruit is considered to be a medicine. There are about 80 Morinda species. They grow in the tropics. Morinda has been shown to reduce the bacteria related to tuberculosis and control some forms of cancer.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are common along the seashores throughout the Philippines. The trees grow wild in coastal areas and are also planted. They suit dry areas because of high drought tolerance. It is part of the coastal vegetation behind the beach. They can grow on sand and have salt tolerance. Seeds can float easily in salt water. Trees can grow up to about 1500 m altitude in the tropics. They are usually in areas with temperatures between 20-35°C and rainfall of 250-4000 mm per year. Trees cannot stand frost. They can grow in a very wide range of soils. It grows 19° N and S of the equator. At MARDI.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Bahamas, Bangladesh, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Caroline Islands, Central America, China, Chuuk, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Futuna, Guam, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Kosrae, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia (country/location of origin), Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, North America, Northeastern India, Nuie, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia (country/location of origin), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tahiti, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Torres Strait, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, West Africa, West Indies, Yap

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked as a vegetable or pot herb. They are also blanched and eaten raw. The ripe fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is often eaten with salt. Green fruit are curried. The ripe fruit are made into a drink with sugar and syrup. It is also used in marinades, sauces and dressings. The seeds of some forms are roasted and eaten. (Red, yellow and brown non edible dyes are obtained from the root.)

Trees are moderately common in some lowland areas of Papua New Guinea. Fruit are used more than the leaves. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Trees are grown from seeds. Seeds remain viable for at least 6 months. Seeds are planted in a nursery. They germinate in 3-9 weeks after sowing. Within 6 months trees grow to 1.5 m. Flowering and fruiting start in the third year. Trees last for up to 25 years. Trees can be grown from cuttings.

They have a moderate growth rate. They can grow 0.75-1.5 m per year. Yields of 80,000 kg of fruit per hectare per year are possible.

Its other names

Local names

Abau, Ach, Achi, Achu, Ageru, Ahi, Ahu, Ai-nenuk, Ainshi, Al, Alaymaykbya, Anngukmanj, Arin, Ashyuka, Awl Tree, Bamkoro, Bangkoro, Bangkudu, Bartundi, Bengkudu, Bingkuduk, Bongimit, Bouka, Bula, Burukpili, Canary Wood, Changkudu, Cheesefruit, Cherumanjanathi, Dilo, Ehi, Ghuraci, Gnovsti, Gogu, Great Morinda, Guninyi, Gura, Gures, Gutes, Gutsi, Hai be ji, Hardi-kath, Huldi-kung, Huressi, Kattapitalavam, Kemudu, Kesengel, Kikiri, Koonjerung, Kudu, Kukure, Kura, Lada, Leen, Lele, Lol, Luo ling, Maddi chettu, Maddi, Magarwek, Mangal'wag, Manngukmanj, Mannanatti, Mekudu, Mengkudu jantan, Mengkudu, Molagha, Mora de la India, Munja pavattay, Naniphal, Nen, Nenuka, Ngel, Nguna, Ngurata, Nhau, Nho srok, Nibase, Nin, No-no, Non, Noni, Nono, Nonu, Nopwur, Nuna, Nute, Nyagyi, Pache, Pangi, Pindra, Pohon mengkudu sitri, Pohon pace sitri, Rotten cheesewood, Sumbia, Surangi, Tagase, Te non, Togaru, Tokoonja, Uhpwul, 'ura, Wehmpul, Weipwul, Wuliwulama, Wu ning, Yaw, Yema de huero, Yo baan, Yorban

Synonyms

Morinda tinctoria Ridley;