Morinda morindoides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gaertnera morindoides
• Morinda confusa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, it is positioned in the Rubiaceae family. Specifically, Morinda morindoides is identified by the genus Morinda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Morinda morindoides, exhibits a specific geographical distribution within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally in the territory of Benin. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Ghana. Its presence extends to the coastal and inland areas of Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the plant is also distributed throughout Guinea and the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Morinda morindoides is characterized by its structural classification and seasonal adaptations. This species functions primarily as a phanerophyte, maintaining its persistent woody stems above the ground level. Within its developmental range and ecological variations, it can also exhibit characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, representing a smaller-scale woody growth form. In terms of its seasonal foliage cycle, the plant is categorized as an evergreen, ensuring that it retains its leaves throughout the year to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity regardless of the season.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Morinda morindoides is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a tree that maintains an independent existence without relying on parasitic relationships. Although it can occupy various ecological niches, its primary habit is terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic. In terms of its structural development, the plant exhibits the characteristics of a liana, acting as an obligatory climber that requires external support to ascend, rather than being self-supporting.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Morinda morindoides is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies within its native tropical ecosystem. As a woody shrub, its physiological activity is heavily influenced by seasonal moisture availability and light intensity, which dictate its photosynthetic rate and transpiration cycles. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium or Frankia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen acquisition is entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. This reliance on soil nitrogen levels means its growth patterns and the concentration of secondary metabolites are closely tied to the nitrogen availability in its immediate substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Morinda morindoides is characterized by a highly flexible phenological pattern regarding its flowering cycle. The flowering time is notably inconsistent and widely distributed throughout the year, as the onset of flowering (flowering start) is considered variable and can occur during any month, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, or December. Similarly, the conclusion of the flowering period (flowering end) is also variable, meaning the plant may cease blooming at any point across the calendar months from January through December. This broad and unpredictable reproductive window suggests that the plant's flowering is likely influenced by specific localized environmental cues rather than a rigid seasonal schedule.

Flowering time :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Morinda morindoides has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Planta medica
4. Annals of tropical medicine and parasitology
5. Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial

Fruit

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Seed

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Chemicals

Morinda morindoides has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, Apigenin 7-O-glucoside, Epoxygaertneroside, Flavonoids, Gaertneric acid.

quercetin

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Apigenin 7-O-glucoside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Epoxygaertneroside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gaertneric acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Luteolin 7-O-glucoside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methoxygaertneroside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

apigenin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

gaertneroside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

kaempferol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Morinda morindoides has 2 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Medicinal Uses

Morinda morindoides has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Vibrio cholerae O:1, amoebiasis, cholera, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations