148 THE MEDICINAL, PLANTS OF TLIE PII I IA PI'I NKS 



Morinda citrifolia, L.; variety : bracteata, Hoock, Jr. 

 (M. ligulata, Blanco.) 



NOM. YULG. Bankundo, Pankundo, Baglturo, Nino, AW//, 

 Tumbogaso, Lino, Mambog, Takpus, Tag. and Vis.; Tal'uuitiu', 

 Pam.; Apalot, Hoc.; Indian Mulberry, Indo-Eng. 



USES. In the Philippines, as well as in India, the root of 

 the plant is widely used as a red dye. As a medicine the 

 Tarn ul physicians use it in decoction to treat diarrhoea and dys- 

 entery. The fruit is emmenagogue and perhaps aperient. In 

 Bombay the mashed leaves are applied to wounds and ulcers to 

 hasten cicatrization ; they also use the decoction internally as a 

 febrifuge and tonic, 10 grams to 500 of water, a wineglassful 

 twice a day. 



The root bark contains a crystalline substance called by 

 Anderson morind'm, C 9S H 30 O lr) . It is a glucoside and exists in 

 the form of yellow needles, soluble in alcohol and in cold water, 

 insoluble in ether; dissolves in alkalies producing an orange- 

 red color. 



There is another species, M. tinctona, Roxb.; M. Eoyoc, Blanco, 

 called in Tagalog Tumboug aso kapay, the roots of which are 

 used by the Filipinos for the same purposes as the leaves of 

 the former species ; the dose, 8 grams a day. The powder is also 

 applied to ulcers and sores, especially those of gangrenous aspect. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A small tree 11 or more feet 

 high, branches opposite, quadrate at the extremities. Leaves 

 opposite, oval, oblong, smooth, entire, glabrous. Petioles very 

 short, with 2 broad, lanceolate stipules curved outward. 

 Flowers white, opposite the leaves, fixed on globose, solitary 

 receptacles from which spring the flowerets. Calyx proper, 

 very short, monophyllous, a lanceolate leaflet springing from the 

 border. Corolla tubular, woolly inside about the middle, with 

 5 lobules. Stamens 5, inserted on the walls of the corolla. 

 Anthers thin, incumbent. Pistil somewhat longer than the 

 corolla. Stigma cleft in 2 laminae. Fruit : the receptacle of 



