Vomit vine
Gynochthodes umbellata

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrubby climber. A climbing or twining plant. The branches can be hairy and can become weakly angled. They are bluish-black to reddish-brown. The leaves are opposite and shiny. They are sword shaped to oblong and 6-9 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are in clusters of 6-12 at the ends of branches. The flowers are 1 cm across. They are white and have a scent. The fruit are irregular shaped and 1.5 cm across. They are orange colour.

There are about 80 Morinda species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In China it grows in forests on mountains and along streams between 300-1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. The green fruit are curried. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Akar ketang, Akar pepadi, Akar sangko, Al, Buah butang, Mengkudu akar, Mengkudu jantan, Moolooghoodoo, Noona kai, Nuna, Pitadaru, Poppili, Shiranji, Yam yan

Synonyms

Morinda padavara Juss. ex Schult.; Morinda scandens Roxb.; Morinda umbellata L.; and others