Description

• Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni, Indian mulberry, or beach mulberry, is a small evergreen tree or shrub in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). It has large, glossy, dark-green leaves with prominent veins and small, white, tubular flowers clustered on a fleshy, elongated flower head. The fruit develops into a soft, irregularly shaped, greenish-white structure that turns creamy white or yellowish as it ripens. Mature fruits have a strong, distinctive odour. Noni has long been used in traditional medicine and is also cultivated for its fruit.

Range

• Morinda citrifolia has a broad native range across tropical Asia and the Pacific region, although its original distribution is difficult to distinguish from centuries of human dispersal. It has become established throughout many tropical regions worldwide, including parts of the Americas. It is cultivated in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• Noni grows in warm, frost-free tropical environments, including coastal scrub, beaches, rocky shorelines, forest margins, and disturbed sites. It tolerates salty conditions and relatively poor soils, making it well suited to coastal landscapes. The species grows in full sun or partial shade and can produce fruit throughout much of the year under favourable tropical conditions.