About Noni Fruit

Morinda Citrifolia is the scientific name given to the tree or plant known as “Indian Mulberry” or “Noni” in Hawaiian. In Ancient Ayurvedic manuscripts of India the called it “Ashyuka” which means “Longevity” and explained that Morinda citrifolia balances the body, stabilizing it in a state of perfect harmony. The name “noni” is actually Polynesian. However, throughout the tropics, it is conceived in different ways. It is locally called as “Mengkudo” in Malaysia, “Nhau” in Southeast Asia, but specifically called “Apatot” and “Bangkuro” in the Philippines. Because of its distinctive smell, Australian called it as “Cheese fruit”. In the South Pacific, it is called “Nonu” same in the islands of Samoa and Tonga. In the island of Raratonga and Tahiti it is called “Nono”. While in the world, specifically Marquesas Island and Hawaii it is known as “Noni”, possibly because the Hawaiian tradition is where we find the richest history of Noni use. In Hawaii, most significant and broad research and study of its medicinal value is ongoing today. Through the age of history, people from diverse land and culture accept its value. And they use their distinctive knowledge to remedy different illness and body disorder. Just like coconut tree, every part of Morinda citrifolia also has various uses to distinctive needs.  

Description

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) tree is usually grown in the pollution-free or unspoiled volcanic soil of the South Pacific Islands, Malaysia, Hawaii, Tahiti, and French Polynesia. Where the heat they generate from the sun and precipitation level they attain from the rain are appropriate for their required production needs.
Morinda citrifolia is a slight, diminutive kind of tree. This can accumulate a height of ten (10) meters, when it is fully matured. The bark and wood obtain a light gray shade with green leaves. It flowers quite a few times a year, with creamy white, small, five-petaled blossoms with finely haired center. The flowers provide a sugary fragrance. The fruit appearance is oblong in size with circular scars, which are green when unripe and yellowish white when fully ripe. And look almost like lumpy peeled potatoes and resembles a small breadfruit. During its ripening process it is very noticeable, because of its stinging smell. The fruit is soft with watery fresh and cheesy aroma when it is ripe.
Classification
There are only two varieties of noni plants used in cultivation. Morinda trimera resembles Morinda citrifolia but with smaller leaves and fruits. Morinda citrifolia is of another variety, potteri, which has variegated, green and white leaves. Differences among noni plants are seen in their fruits size, shape, and the number of seeds. Improvement on their hereditary characteristic can be achieved through selection.
Distribution

Throughout the world, noni (Morinda citrifolia) plant can be found. It is native to several countries in Southeast Asian like Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, and Indonesia. It is also grown in East Asia, Japan and China, and India in the south. While in the South Pacific Islands, noni plants are found in Samoa, Tonga, Raratonga, Tahiti, Marquesas Islands and Hawaii. Many noni plants are also grown in Fiji which is the Southwest portion of the pacific. And stretches as far as New Zealand, Australia, Caribbean, South America, and West Indies.
 
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