Morinda citrifolia L., Sp. Pl. (1753)
Latin for 'leaves like those of Citrus'.

Description
Shrub up to 9 m tall and 11 cm dbh. Stipules ca. 15 mm long, with rounded tip. Leaves opposite, simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 7 mm diameter, white, with corolla tube, placed in compact flower heads. Fruits ca. 72 mm long, green-yellow, elongate fruiting body consisting of many seeds.

Ecology
Coastal along beaches and in open secondary forests up to 100 m altitude. On sandy soils.

Uses
The roots and stem are used to produce a yellow dye. The leaves have medicinal properties and are used against tension (place on affected parts), bruises (place on affected parts) and as an antidote against blowpipe poison. The fruits are edible.

Distribution
From Sri Lanka and India to southern China and Japan, throughout the Malesian region and into the Pacific and Australia. In Borneo collected in Sarawak, Sabah, West- and East-Kalimantan.

Local names in Borneo
Bamkoro, Bangkudu, Bangkuru, Bengkal putih, Bingkuduk, Engkudu hutan, Mengkudu.