Stinking cheesefruit
Morinda citrifolia, Fam. Rubiaceae
A shrub or small tree, 3-10m high, with dense foliage and brown to dark grey, slightly rough bark.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Shrub, Small tree |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Leaf: | Opposite, egg shaped or oval, smooth, leathery, glossy dark green, pointed tip, wavy margins, prominent veins and mid-rib, 10-30 x 5-15cm. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White |
| Flower description: | White, tubular, sweetly perfumed, five star like petals, about 1-1.2 cm long, borne on globular heads in the leaf axils. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Green, Cream |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Compound, irregular shaped, fleshy, green turning cream white when ripe, 5-10 x 4-6cm. Numerous brown seed embedded in the flesh. |
| Habitat: | Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, vine thicket. |
| Distribution | Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Guinea, Malesia, Asia, Pacific Islands. |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia, New Guinea, Malesia, Asia, Pacific Islands. |
| Notes: | Needs well drained soil and best in a semi-shaded position. The fruit is edible, but has a rancid odour when ripe. Used in traditional medicines. Propagate from fresh seed. |
| Information sources: | Singapore National Parks (2022) Morinda citrifolia L. Flora and fauna web., Townsend K. & the Society for Growing Australian Plant Townsville Branch Inc. (1994) Across the Top: Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. |
