Daun Mengkudu

A. Taxonomical info

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Gentianales

Family: Rubiaceae

Genus: Morinda

Species: Morinda citrifolia

B. Morphological / distribution/ habitat info

Morphological

Noni is a small evergreen shrub or tree with a height usually less than 3 m, and can grow up to 6 m. Its leaves are thick and oval in shape, with a size of 10-30 cm long. The texture is shiny, smooth, and the color is dark green. 

Distribution

It is native to likely Southeast Asia, India and northern Australia. It has been naturalized across Indian Ocean region, Pacific islands also Central and South America.

Habitat info

It prefers tropical humid climates. This species can thrive at temperatures around 20–35°C. It also can survive in nutrient-poor soils due to its robust root system.

C. Traditional uses / TK-related info

Medicinal

Its heated leaves can be applied to the chest to relieve coughs, nausea, and colic in Malaysia. The juice from the leaves is used for arthritis in the Philippines. 

Culture and Belief

The traditional use of Morinda citrifolia as a "ghost medicine" is based on the belief that the plant's odor repels ghosts. 

D. Any related scientific studies, such as ecology/conservation status/threats / diversity

It has morphological and chemical variation. Other than that, it has noticeable differences among regions in leaf, fruit traits, and phytochemical profiles that are useful for germplasm selection and domestication.