Sweet Morinda

Morinda is a small climber, growing into shrubs and small trees in rainforest and moist, sheltered eucalypt forest. This attractive vine has shiny, dark green, opposite leaves up to 7 cm long with smooth edges. It is distinguished by the raised midvein on the upper surface of the leaf and by the presence of small, brown, papery (leaf-like) stipules between each pair of leaves. Small, raised bumps may be present on the upper surface of the leaves adjacent to the midvein; these are gland-like depressions on the underside.

The small, fragrant cream flowers occur in clusters; the fruit is an irregularly round, orange berry about 1.5 cm across.

DISTRIBUTION:
Gippsland Lakes, VIC to northern QLD and NT