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Morinda citrifolia

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Morinda

Indian mulberry, noni

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Small trees or shrubs 3–6 m tall.

Stems: Stems 4–angled, glabrous.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades elliptic to elliptic–ovate, 20–45 cm long, 7–25 cm wide. Surfaces glabrous, glossy, membranous. Margins entire. Pinnately veined. Petioles stout, 1.5–2 cm long. Stipules present, connate or distinct, 10–12 mm long, apex entire or 2–3-lobed.

Flowers: Flowers ca. 75–90 in ovoid to globose heads, peduncles 10–30 mm long, bracts small. Flowers insect-pollinated, bisexual (perfect), heterostylous. Calyx a truncate rim. Corolla white, 5-lobed, the tube funnelform or salverform, greenish white, 7–9 mm long, the lobes oblong–deltate, ca. 7 mm long; nectary disk annular. Stamens 5, alternate with the corolla lobes, inserted on corolla throat, scarcely exserted; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits, dorsifixed. Ovary inferior, occasionally partly so, or very rarely superior, 2-celled or incompletely 4-celled; ovules 1 per cell, attached below middle or near base; style terminal, slender, 2-branched, dimorphic, dry or occasionally wet; style ca. 15 mm long.

Fruit: Syncarps yellowish white; fleshy; 5–10 cm long; ca. 3–4 cm in diameter; soft and foetid when ripe; containing cartilaginous; 1-seeded pyrenes. Seeds 1 per fruit; obovoid or reniform; with well-developed oily endosperm; or endosperm occasionally scanty or absent; with a distinct air chamber.

Ploidy: 2n = 22; 44

Habitat: Naturalized in relatively dry to mesic sites; in solution pits near the coast; disturbed hala forest; dry to mesic forest; and alien grassland.

Elevation Range: 0–450 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Noni is considered a very important medicinal plant. Boils are treated with the open, immature noni fruit applied topically. Boils, bruises, sores, and wounds are treated with leaves that have been burned or mashed. Concussions treated with a mashed, green noni fruit. For cuts, the stem bark is ulitized. For broken bones, the green fruit are mashed and combined with salt as a topical medication. Root sap is used to treat skin eruptions (Abbott 1992:99–100). Today it is used as a tonic for a wide variety of illnesses.

  • The inner bark of the trunk and roots used for yellow and red dyes (Krauss 1993:66). Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked (Krauss 1993:16; Malo 1951:22). Oil extracted from fruit used on hair (Rock 1913:467). In the Ethnology Collection at Bishop Museum there is a post-contact example of the wood made into a bowl.

  • Yellow; red** dye (inner bark of trunk & root) ** w/lime added

CULTURE

  • ‘Ono‘onou ‘ia i ka hua noni line in "Moanalua" (Elbert & Mahoe 1970:77–78).

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Birds
Other Animals

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 176 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1157 (Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:483 (KEY), 493 (DESCR); Munro 32 BISH (L†, 1913)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Morinda citrifolia Kalapana Preserved_Specimen Gehring, P. 3002 Hawaii BISH 1966-01-24
2 Morinda citrifolia Waipio Valley; along jeep road to the 1st falls Preserved_Specimen Sohmer, S.H. 6248 Hawaii BISH 1970-01-02
3 Morinda citrifolia North Halawa Valley; BM Site # 50-0a-B1-85 Preserved_Specimen Woodward, L. 7 Oahu BISH 1992-12-14
4 Morinda citrifolia Ewa coral plain Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 133 Oahu BISH 1922-08-11
5 Morinda citrifolia Terminal position of 1880-1, Lava flow near Hilo Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 529 Hawaii BISH 1915-05-17
6 Morinda citrifolia Along coastal and inland trail in Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10262 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-07
7 Morinda citrifolia Cult., Bishop Museum grounds, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13401 Oahu BISH 1932-12-09
8 Morinda citrifolia Kauai Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 225 Kauai BISH 1864-01-01
9 Morinda citrifolia Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Southern Trap & Skeet Range Preserved_Specimen BISH staff 91 Oahu BISH 2021-05-17
10 Morinda citrifolia Hanalei Dist. Kalihi Wai River Valley, at ca. half mile SW. of highway 56 near first waterfall Old secondary vegetation along flood plain with Hibiscus tiliaceus, Psidium and Syzygium. Preserved_Specimen Small tree 3m .X 5 cm. dbh., cephalia green. Lorence, D.H. 5145 Kauai BISH 1987-04-05
11 Morinda citrifolia [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-10-10
12 Morinda citrifolia Honaunau Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Hawaii BISH 1920-08-12
13 Morinda citrifolia specific locality not available. Preserved_Specimen Meinecke, W.H. Hawaii BISH 1969-12-01
14 Morinda citrifolia [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. Oahu BISH 1903-12-02
15 Morinda citrifolia Keakea Park, Kohala, Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Tabrah, F. Hawaii BISH 1966-09-01
16 Morinda citrifolia Talus. N.Kona Cliff Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Hawaii BISH 1912-01-01
17 Morinda citrifolia Kau Preserved_Specimen Meinecke, W.H. Hawaii BISH
18 Morinda citrifolia Hawaii Preserved_Specimen (Not on sheet) Hawaii BISH
19 Morinda citrifolia Lopa coast Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 48 Lanai BISH 1913-09-01
20 Morinda citrifolia Lanikai Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1933-01-01
21 Morinda citrifolia S.Kona, Kapua Bay and surrounding areas, in the ahupuaa of Kapua Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 7717 Hawaii BISH 1977-07-01
22 Morinda citrifolia Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 22 Oahu BISH 1919-10-26
23 Morinda citrifolia Wainiha Valley Lumahai Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10946 Kauai BISH 1931-01-01
24 Morinda citrifolia Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Oahu BISH 1954-11-22
25 Morinda citrifolia Hilo Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Hawaii BISH 1909-01-01
26 Morinda citrifolia Kahana Bay Preserved_Specimen McCantoria Oahu BISH 1958-10-06
27 Morinda citrifolia Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. Oahu BISH 1962-05-07
28 Morinda citrifolia Koloa District. Mahaulepu region, Makawahi Cave, south rim. Secondary shrubland over substrate of upraised calcarenite dunerock. Leucaena, Prosopis, Casuarina, Scaevola, with native plantings including Myoporum, Chenopodium, Capparis, Plumbago. Preserved_Specimen Small tree 1.5 meters tall. Leaves medium green above, shiny. Flowers with white corolla, receptacle and immature fruits green. Naturalized locally, occasional. Lorence, D.H. 10720 Kauai BISH 2017-11-08
29 Morinda citrifolia Manoa, Haena, Kauai Tree in wet valley in heavy shade, on system of wet and dry terraces, found throughout. Occasional, common under mangoes. Preserved_Specimen Tree, 2-3m. hgt. Fruit white, fleshy. Earle, E. 32 Kauai BISH 1972-06-26
30 Morinda citrifolia Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Ahihi Bay at the N end of the reserve Pockets of vegetation near the seashore amongst a'a lava about 200 years old. In flower and fruit. Four trees up to 2m. Specimens collected from those in deep shade and rooted in the bottom of a well-like depression - protected. Preserved_Specimen Abbott, I.A. 91.6 Maui BISH 1991-03-05
31 Morinda citrifolia Koloa, Allerton Garden, E Lawai Stream behind Rhapis excelsa hedge Preserved_Specimen 5 m tree with 2 trunks 5 cm diam.; leaves variegated green with patches bordering midrib and nerves; young fruit greenish white Lorence, D.H. 7752 Kauai BISH 1996-02-23
32 Morinda citrifolia Divide at head of Kalama Valley, Maunalua Dry rock ledge on main divide. Preserved_Specimen Forming large mats, lvs fleshy, noticeably reticulate venulose beneath, flws yellow. Fosberg, F.R. 13615 Oahu BISH 1937-03-07
33 Morinda citrifolia lower Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District The plant is scattered throughout the lower part of the reserve. Preserved_Specimen The plant is infested with a black sooty mold where the overstory is dense. Clarke, G. 79.249 Hawaii BISH 1979-05-10
34 Morinda citrifolia Na Pali Kona Coast Trail between Haena Point and Hanakoa Valley In sheltered valley Preserved_Specimen Small tree 6 ft tall; 1-1.5 in diam; flowers white Stern, W.L. 1256 Kauai BISH 1961-08-01
35 Morinda citrifolia Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Native Garden, Polynesian Canoe Plants area Cultivated next to an Aleurites moluccana of similar height. Preserved_Specimen Large shrub/small tree ca. 3.5m tall. 15 cm diameter trunk, branching at around 1m. Crown ca. 3.5 m wide. Light brown/tan bark. Bright lime green, glabrous, coriaceous, opposite leaves. Light green venation. Flowers white seen visited by Apis mellifera. Fruit roughly ovoid, lumpy, green; ripening to yellow, white, and finally translucent white. Walvoord, N. 2020001 Oahu BISH 2020-02-04
36 Morinda citrifolia Keopukaloa Grassy slope. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2m. St.John, H. 23408 Molokai BISH 1948-12-21
37 Morinda citrifolia Kamehameha Schools campus on the southern edge of the parking lot which is adjacent to Konia Hall on the S and east sides The plant is in a small area between Konia Hall and a parking lot. A chain link fence is close to the plant. There are no obstructions to sunlight. Preserved_Specimen This plant appears to be a typical Noni. It is a very big plant, approximately 15 feet tall. It shows no signs of cutting. Its leaves are large. Johnson, A.D. Oahu BISH 2001-09-13
38 Morinda citrifolia Kahaluu Roadside above ocean. Preserved_Specimen Tree 3m tall, fruit fleshy-woody. Fosberg, F.R. 8945 Oahu BISH 1932-02-10
39 Morinda citrifolia Mapulehu Valley Bottom of Gulch. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12776 Molokai BISH 1932-12-28
40 Morinda citrifolia Keopukaloa Grassy slope. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2m. St.John, H. 23408 Molokai BISH 1948-12-21
41 Morinda citrifolia Waikane Valley, Koolau Mts By road. Preserved_Specimen Shrub. Hume, E.P. 506 Oahu BISH 1932-03-13
42 Morinda citrifolia Peninsula W of Wailau Valley Flat covered with Pandanus. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 9652 Molokai BISH 1933-04-07
43 Morinda citrifolia Halawa Common in woods by old taro patches. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12723 Molokai BISH 1952-12-27
44 Morinda citrifolia Koloa, Allerton Garden, E Lawai Stream behind Rhapis excelsa hedge Preserved_Specimen 5 m tree with 2 trunks 5 cm diam.; leaves variegated green with patches bordering midrib and nerves; young fruit greenish white Lorence, D.H. 7752 Kauai BISH 1996-02-23
45 Morinda citrifolia Honolulu Disturbed wet woods (Eugenia malaccensis; Aleurites moluccana; Zingiber zerumbet; Cyrtandra stupantha; many ferns) talus slopes near bottom of gorge. Preserved_Specimen 6m. tall, brittle wood, flws white. Iltis, H.H. 368 Oahu BISH 1967-07-27
46 Morinda citrifolia P.t.B.G., Lawai Valley Occasional in valley, primarily in shaded areas. Preserved_Specimen Small, sparingly branched tree with dark-green, glossy foliage, white flws, and translucent, yellowish-white, fetid fruit. Herbst, D.R. 2345 Kauai BISH 1972-01-27
47 Morinda citrifolia Along coast, 7miles SW of entrance to Mackenzie State Park, Puna Dist In rather open scrubby area along coast. Preserved_Specimen Shrub, 4' tall. Cooperrider, T.S. 11050 Hawaii BISH 1970-01-29
48 Morinda citrifolia Kalepa Ridge Leeward side of ridge, northern portion. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-07-21
49 Morinda citrifolia Kaluanui Valley Valley Bottom. Preserved_Specimen Erect tree, +/-5m. high. Bryan Jr., E.H. 700 Oahu BISH 1929-04-14
50 Morinda citrifolia Mapulehu Valley, near mouth Rocky valley floor, near stream. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 m. tall, flws: white. Fosberg, F.R. 13528 Molokai BISH 1936-12-31
51 Morinda citrifolia Near Halulu Lake Thicket in gulch. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 5m tall. St.John, H. 22722 Niihau BISH 1947-08-12
52 Morinda citrifolia East Maui, Honomanu Shaded, wet forest area. Preserved_Specimen Small tree about 15' tall, 3 and a half dbh. Branches angular with prominent leaf scars. Bark somewhat smooth, light brown. Foliage leathery, glossy, dark green. Flowers white. Fruit fetid yellowish-white. Herbst, D.R. 845 Maui BISH 1968-01-02
53 Morinda citrifolia Waimea River (lower part), Waimea Floor of Gulch. Preserved_Specimen Duker, K.W. Oahu BISH 1932-01-01
54 Morinda citrifolia Kaluanui Valley Valley Bottom. Preserved_Specimen Erect tree, +/-5m. high. Bryan Jr., E.H. 700 Oahu BISH 1929-04-14
55 Morinda citrifolia Kaalualu Bay near South Point Growing under Prosopis trees. Occasional. Preserved_Specimen Small tree 2m high; Lvs: glossy, Flws: white, and fruit lumpy and yellow. Whistler, W.A. 73 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
56 Morinda citrifolia On the 2nd ridge of Hauula mountain range In open grassland. Preserved_Specimen Small woody shrub ca. 4ft. tall, with white flws. Few scattered. Herat, T. 222 Oahu BISH 1972-08-23
57 Morinda citrifolia Botany Department garden, St. John Hall, near corner of Maile Way and East West Road A garden containing numerous Hawaiian plants kept by the UH Botany Department. Garden is in a courtyard surrounded by St. John Hall on all four sides. Sunlight is somewhat obstructed in early morning and late afternoon hours. Preserved_Specimen The plant appears to be a common Noni plant, although the leaves are somewhat smaller than other specimens. The plant was cut a few years ago in order to increase its yield of fruit. It is approximately 10 feet tall. Johnson, A.D. Oahu BISH 2001-07-09
58 Morinda citrifolia Located on the Kamehameha School campus on the S edge of the parking lot which is adjacent to Konia Hall on the S and E sides. In a small area betw Konia Hall and a parking lot. A chain link fence is close to the plant There are no obstructions to sunlight. Preserved_Specimen A very big plant, approximately 15ft tall. It shows no signs of cutting. Its leaves are large. Johnson, A.D. Oahu BISH 2001-09-13
59 Morinda citrifolia Waianae Mts., Makua Flat land near sea. Preserved_Specimen Small tree 4m high. MacDaniels, L.H. 80 Oahu BISH 1926-10-20
60 Morinda citrifolia Along coastal and inland trail in Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Predominantly exotic vegetation. Area highly modified by ancient Polynesians. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10262 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-07
61 Morinda citrifolia Waiahole Forest Reserve, Valley immediately mauka of Kaaawa Pt Common along the streambed. Preserved_Specimen 8' tree. most individuals in flower and fruit. Takeuchi, W.N. 298 Oahu BISH 1984-08-18
62 Morinda citrifolia East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden In remnant Pandanus forest SSE of Pi'ilanihale Heiau on rough a'a lava. Preserved_Specimen Small tree of 10'. Lvs dark, glossy green above, dull, paler below. Corolla lobes white, five, tube pale green, stigma pale green. Flynn, T.W. 2489 Maui BISH 1987-10-20
63 Morinda citrifolia Manoa Valley: University of Hawaii Manoa Campus, St. John Courtyard Preserved_Specimen Bennett, T. 64 Oahu BISH 1982-01-30
64 Morinda citrifolia lower Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District Preserved_Specimen The plant is infested with a black growth where the overstory is dense. Clarke, G. 79.222 Hawaii BISH 1979-03-08
65 Morinda citrifolia Near U.S.C. and G.S. Magnetic Station, Ewa coral plain, pit in dry raised coral Preserved_Specimen Shrub, flowers white. Fosberg, F.R. 12803 Oahu BISH 1936-01-12
66 Morinda citrifolia Kalaupapa; airport, oceanview pavilion Preserved_Specimen small tree or shrub Wysong, M.L. 431 Molokai BISH 2004-11-11
67 Morinda citrifolia Lopa Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 32 Lanai BISH 1913-09-01
68 Morinda citrifolia Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Southern Trap & Skeet Range Preserved_Specimen BISH staff 91 Oahu BISH 2021-05-17
69 Morinda citrifolia Bishop Museum, near curb Preserved_Specimen Shiny leaves with interpetiolar stipules; multiple fruit. Pham, L. 4 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
70 Morinda citrifolia Kalapana Preserved_Specimen Shrub 5m.tall. Gehring, P. 3001 Hawaii BISH 1966-01-24
71 Morinda citrifolia Bishop Museum, near curb Preserved_Specimen Shiny leaves with interpetiolar stipules; multiple fruit. Canosa, R. 4 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
72 Morinda citrifolia W Pia Gulch, guava zone, in closed waiawi forest, below parent tree seedling Preserved_Specimen Tree 20' high. Egler, F.E. 37193 Oahu BISH 1937-07-20
73 Morinda citrifolia Nualolo Kai, Waimea Dist Preserved_Specimen Trees: 7m x15cm. St.John, H. 26666 Kauai BISH 1965-04-22
74 Morinda citrifolia Mokuleia Beach Preserved_Specimen Cultivated. Leaves with white markings. Degener, O. 19222 Oahu BISH 1949-03-01
75 Morinda citrifolia [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen 4m. Height, about 3 dbh. Nagata, K.M. 145 Oahu BISH 1966-08-08
76 Morinda citrifolia Bishop Museum, near curb Preserved_Specimen Shiny leaves with interpetiolar stipules; multiple fruit. Canosa, R. 4 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
77 Morinda citrifolia Manoa Preserved_Specimen 9' tall. Grant, M.L. 7516 Oahu BISH 1934-10-29
78 Morinda citrifolia Honolulu: Bishop Museum Preserved_Specimen Tree 5m tall in full sun. Flws are white; not fragrant (afternoon). Lau, J. 1061 Oahu BISH 1985-06-06
79 Morinda citrifolia Bishop Museum, near curb Preserved_Specimen Shiny leaves with interpetiolar stipules; multiple fruit. Pham, L. 4 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
80 Morinda citrifolia Hwy. SW. of seven Pools Park Preserved_Specimen Small tree 15'. 3 in diam. Little Jr., E.L. 31111 Maui BISH 1976-08-25
81 Morinda citrifolia Hoary Head Mts, Kipu Preserved_Specimen 8' bush, lower woods. St.John, H. 13615 Kauai BISH 1933-12-25
82 Morinda citrifolia Kapaa Preserved_Specimen Fruits 10x7cm, irregularly rounded and often lumpy, with brownish round ovaries set in greenish-white glossy skin, the skin having some yellow patches. Hume, E.P. 487 Kauai BISH 1990-02-28
83 Morinda citrifolia Kalapana Beach Preserved_Specimen 4' tall. Gehring, P. Hawaii BISH 1967-01-23
84 Morinda citrifolia Bishop Museum grounds Preserved_Specimen Leu, M. 55 Oahu BISH 1987-11-30
85 Morinda citrifolia Bishop Museum Grounds Preserved_Specimen Wagner Oahu BISH
86 Morinda citrifolia Kau Dist. Along Halape Beach, some distance from the shelter Preserved_Specimen Small cult. tree. Herat, T. 847 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-30
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