Diversity of Growth Forms and Uses in the Morinda citrifolia L. Complex

Increases in demand for fruit of Morinda citrifolia in recent years have led to commercial farming of the trees. Typically as a crop makes the transition from wild-harvested to commercial orchard, there is a concurrent effort to select more desirable varieties and to improve the crop. In order to make these selections and improve the crop, researchers must know about the diversity found within the species and its close relatives. The recognized varietal diversity as well as yet unrecognized (by science) diversity in leaf shape within M. citrifolia is discussed. Recommendations for future research are then presented based upon a set of preliminary observations and hypotheses.