Ben-oil tree
Moringa peregrina

Family: Moringaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub. Seedling trees develop an exposed tuber. From this 3-5 broad leaflets emerge. Then the plant branches and produces longer leaves with many widely spaced leaflets. These leaves fall. The flowers are pink and occur in long stalks.

There are 13 Moringa species. Ben-oil is a very fine lubricant.

Where it is found

A Mediterranean and tropical plant. It grows naturally near the Red Sea. It is moderately salt tolerant. It can survive arid conditions. It grows below 1,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Israel, Jordan, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Yemen

How it is used for food

The oil from the seeds is edible.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, roots, seeds-oil, stems, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Sheyoa, U'sr

Synonyms

Moringa aptera Gaertn; Moringa arabica (Lam.) Pers.;