Morinda umbellata (PROSEA)
Introduction |
- Protologue: Sp. pl. 1: 176 (1753).
Vernacular names
- Malaysia: mengkudu akar, mengkudu hutan, akar perut ayam (Peninsular)
- Philippines: nino, halon (Tagalog)
- Laos: khua mak mah pa
- Thailand: yo yaan (peninsular)
- Vietnam: nhàu tán, nhàu dỏ, dơn mặt qui.
Distribution
Southern Asia from India, Sri Lanka, China and Japan, through Indo-China, Thailand and Malesia, to northern Australia and Fiji.
Uses
In India, a decoction of the roots is used to treat dropsy, and a decoction of the leaves as an anthelmintic. In Vietnam, the roots and leaves are applied in treating dysentery. In China, roots and bark are used to treat swollen joints, kidney complaints and lumbar pains. In India, the fruits are eaten, whereas the stems function for binding purposes. The roots provide a yellow dye.
Observations
- A climbing shrub or liana up to 20 m long.
- Leaves elliptical to elliptical-lanceolate, rarely ovate, (4-)6-10 cm × 2-3.5 cm.
- Inflorescence a terminal umbel of heads; corolla with tube much shorter than lobes, white.
- Compound fruit subglobose, c. 1 cm in diameter, orange when ripe.
M. umbellata occurs in forest and thickets, usually in the lowland. It is here regarded in the wide sense, but future taxonomic research might reveal that several distinct species are included in the complex.
Selected sources
121, 141, 542, 671, 760. medicinals
Main genus page
Authors
- Nguyen Tap & Nguyen Kim Bich