Morinda citrifolia (Noni Tree) is a humid-loving fruit tree that is native to South-East Asia, Polynesia and northern Australia. Noni fruit is consumed more for its health benefits than its taste and is considered more of a staple, famine food than a luxury. The Noni tree is fast-growing, heavy-yielding and contains a great range of medicinal uses.
Suitable for Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Morinda citrifolia is also commonly known as the Indian Mulberry, Great Morinda, Vomit Fruit, Rotten Cheese Fruit, Asprin Tree, Beach Mulberry, Cheese Fruit, Headache Tree, Brimstone Tree and Painkiller Tree. There are so many more but known are as descriptive as Vomit and Rotten Cheese.
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Growth
Morinda citrifolia is a shrub or small tree that reaches a maximum height of up to 6 metres (20 feet) by 4 metres (14 feet) wide. Noni trees enjoy warmer climates and do not tolerate frosts or dry conditions. Naturally, the plant grows well in both shady forests and on open ground so both full sun or part-shade makes a good long-term position.
The leaves of Morinda citrifolia are glabrous, arranged in opposite pairs on twigs and can reach a length of up to 25cm (10 inches). White flowers are tubular with five lobes and can have up to 100 per head, but only a handful open at any one time.
Fruits consist of fused drupes, each containing four seeds and gradually transition in colour from green to pale yellow or grey. When they ripen they emit a pungent odour that is likened to blue cheese, which explains another of the plants many common names.
Noni trees can start fruiting in around two years and can fruit all year in warmer climates. Once established, each tree can produce up to 8kg of fruit per month.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
For additional information visit our Growers Notes page or the list of the best gardening websites or check out the article about how to use your waste at home as a natural fertiliser.
FAMILY:
Rubiaceae
CLIMATE:
Sub-Tropical and Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5°C to 30°C / 41 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Light Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 10 metres (33 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 4 metres (14 feet)
pH:
5.0-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial, Annual in temperate climates.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees.
MATURITY:
2-3 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
45-55%
GERMINATION TIME:
4-6 weeks at temperatures between 20-25°C / 68-77°F.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Relatively Easy.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 20
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT MORINDA CITRIFOLIA (Noni Tree)
Morinda citrifolia is used commercially in juices, leaf powders, oils, soaps and lotions. In recent years, Noni has grown in popularity as a herbal supplement though more research is required to ascertain its effectiveness. One of its common names, the Headache Tree, refers to the condition sustained by someone who consumes too much of the fruit.
One essential ingredient when making the national dish of Cambodia, the Fish Amok, is the leaves of a Noni tree. In Australia, the juice of the fruit is used in bushfoods for dressings sauces and marinades.
Externally, the root can be crushed and mixed with oil to make a salve for smallpox and to treat other skin skin diseases.
Noni has also been traditionally used for colds, flu, diabetes, anxiety, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, pain, headache, fever, coughs, stomach ailments, sore eyes, asthma, wounds, broken bones, mouth and throat infections, burns and inflamed gums.
For more information regarding the medicinal benefits of Noni click here.
