ABSTRACT
Morinda species comprise a useful and widely distributed genus of tropical trees, shrubs, and vines. Most of the approximately 80 species originated from Borneo, New Guinea, Northern Australia, and New Caledonia. At least 20 species, including Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiacea), have signi…cant modern economic and historical values in the Paci…c Islands and in Asia. The buoyant-seeded species such as M. citrifolia became essential components of many tropical coastal and forest ecosystems, where they served important functions as medicines, foods, dyes, or wood for several ancient, indigenous societies (Nelson and Elevitch 2006).
