148 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OP THE PHILIPPINES 



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



[M. lifjnldtii, Blanco.) 



NoM. VuLG. — Bankundo, Panhundo, Bm/kuro, Nino, Kulif, 

 Tumbogaso, Lino, Mainbog, Tahpm, Tag. and Vis.; Tiiliantar, 

 Pam.; Apalqt, Hoc; Indian Midberry, Indo-Eug. 



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 

 Tamul physicialis 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 morindin, C^Hg^O^^. 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. tindori<t, Roxb.; 31. Royoc, Blanco, 

 called in Tagalog Tumboug ctso hipay, 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 lamina. Fruit : the receptacle of 



