| Morinda | |
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| Morinda citrifolia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Rubioideae |
| Tribe: | Morindeae[1] |
| Genus: | Morinda L.[2] |
| Species | |
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See text. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Belicia Lundell |
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Morinda is a genus of flowering plants in the madder family, Rubiaceae.[2] The generic name is derived from the Latin words morus, meaning "mulberry," and indica, meaning "of India," referring to the shape of the fruits. [3]
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It comprises approximately 80 species, distributed in all tropical regions of the world. These species may be trees, shrubs or vines; some, like Morinda citrifolia, are trees that very much resemble vines. All Morinda species bear aggregate or multiple fruits[4] that can be fleshy (like with Morinda citrifolia) or dry.
Most species of this genus originate in the area of Borneo, New Guinea, Northern Australia, and New Caledonia.
Morinda is used as a herb in Traditional Japanese, Korean and Chinese Medicine. In Chinese medicine, the root of morinda is known as 巴戟天 or simply 巴戟.
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