Morinda L.

Greek moron — mulberry, inda— Indian.

Shrubs or woody climbers. Leaves opposite, sometimes with domatia; stipules sheathing. Flower clusters axillary or terminal. Flowers 2-4 together. Corolla tube cylindrical, 3-5-lobed.ovaries united, 2-4-chambered, with 1 ovule per chamber. Fruit a 1-seeded drupe of individual flowers but united to form a multiple fruit called a syncarp. Grown for the rich glossy green foliage and fragrant flowers.

Seed or softwood cuttings.

M. citrifolia, Indian Mulberry, is the source of a red dye and is used for batik. The fruit is the source of an unpleasant-smelling insecticidal hair tonic. Other species have local medicinal uses.

A woody climber with a multiple fruit called a syncarp.

About 80 species from mostly tropical and subtropical areas. Australia has 6 species, 4 endemic.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Rubiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

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kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Asteranae
order      Gentianales
family       Rubiaceae
Higher taxa
Subordinate taxa
species         Morinda jasminoides Cunn.