Morinda citrifolia also called Morinde, Noni fruit and Indian mulberry and Cheese fruit. This very special evergreen plant grows bush-shaped and has green glossy and ribbed leaves. The foliage can grow up to 30 cm long and 15 cm wide with older plants.
The Morinda is found in tropical regions worldwide. The small white flowers grow in clusters. Plants bear fruit from their 1st year. The plant first acquires green up to 15 cm egg shaped to oval fruits.
The skin of the fruit is thin pale green to creamy white. The fruits have brown glossy seeds up to 8 mm in size that are found in the soft glassy white flesh.
The fruits are also eaten raw in Asia, among others, they are not very tasty and smell like cheese. For many thousands of years people have believed in the power of the Noni to cure cancer and the positive influence on the immune system.
The bark and roots contain a red dye, widely used in Indonesia in batik art.
Heated or wilted leaves can be used externally as a painkiller.
The plant is also often kept as an ornamental plant.
Winter hardiness zone 11 (+ 12ºC).