African horseradish tree
Moringa stenopetala

Family: Moringaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-15 m high. The bark is smooth. The branches are soft. The leaves are compound and divided 2-3 times. The flowers have a sweet scent. They are white and occur in loose flower arrangements. The fruit are long pods. The fruit are yellow when ripe. They split open to release seeds that have 3 wings.

The seeds can be used to clarify muddy water.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Kenya it grows in sandy soils with a high water table. It grows between 390-1,250 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in areas with average temperatures between 24-30°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Somalia, West Africa

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable. They are often cooked with balls of flour. The skin of the fruit is removed and the fruit are eaten but not the seeds.

It is also a cultivated food plant. It is an important vegetable in Ethiopia.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Trees are pruned every 5 years during the rainy season.

Plants can reach 3 m high in 14 months. Leaves can be harvested after 3 years.

Its other names

Local names

Aleku, Eleku, Etebusoit, Heleko, Lorsanjo, Mawali, Safara, Sheferwu, Wocheletcha

Synonyms

Donaldsonia stenopetala Baker f.; Moringa streptocarpa Chiov.;