Morinda citrifolia

(Great Morinda, Cheese Fruit, Noni)

Description

This small tree or shrub has dark green glossy leaves that are opposite to one another and a large stipule runs across the angular stem between the base of the petioles. The fragrant, white flowers are densely packed together and their bases or the floral tubes are fused. This compound structure develops into an irregularly-shaped fleshy fruit rather like a pale potato with numerous eyes. At maturity the fruit are whitish to cream and have a strong odour when ripe. This odour has been likened to strong cheese. Although the fruit is high in vitamin C it is not very palatable unless processed. Leaf extracts have been used for treating headaches and the dye Turkey red is extracted from the bark.