Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree, Moringa
Moringa oleifera

Family: Moringaceae

What it is like

A small tree up to 9-12 m high. The trunk is 60 cm across. The wood is soft. It has feather-like divided leaves. The tree loses its leaves during the year. The bark is grey and thick. It is corky and peels off in patches. The leaves are pale green and the leaf is divided 3 times. The whole leaf is 30-60 cm long and the leaflets are usually oval and 1-2 cm long. The leaflets are jointed with a gland near the joint. The flowers are pale yellow and contain both sexes. They occur in long sprays 30 cm long. Each flower has 5 petals and of these one is erect and 4 are bent backwards. The flowers are sweet scented. The fruit is a long capsule 30-100 cm long by 2 cm wide. The seed capsules are up to 45 cm long. They are roughly triangular in shape. They split open when dry. There are 9 dark brown seeds inside. The seeds have 3 wings. Some kinds are better for edible fruit than others, while some are selected for leaves. Often the fruiting kinds are grown as annual plants.

There are 13 Moringa species. The seeds contain a powerful flocculant useful in clarifying turbid water. The leaves are very high in Vitamin A, C, iron and protein. Chemical composition (after Abdelmuti): Protein (crude) = 15.6% (dry). Fat = 10.1% (dry). Fibre (crude) = 5.1% (dry). Ash = 11.5% (dry). Carbohydrate (soluble): Starch = 5.1% (dry). Sucrose = 5.5% (dry). D-glucose = 1.3% (dry). F-fructose = 1.5% (dry). Amino acids (g [16g N]-1): Aspartic acid = 10.4g. Threonine = 5.3g. Serine = 4.7g. Glutamic acid = 13.3g. Proline = 4.4g. Glycine = 6.4g. Alanine = 7.3g. Valine = 6.8g. Cysteine = 0.8g. Methionine = 1.8g. Isoleucine = 5.6g. Leucine = 10.9g. Tyrosine = 4.7g. Phenylalanine = 6.6g. Lysine = 6.1g. Histidine = 2.4g. Arginine = 6.6g. Minerals: Sulphur = 0.23% (dry). Postassium = 0.14% (dry). Magnesium = 0.69% (dry). Calcium = 3.18% (dry). Na = 0.16% (dry). K =0.91% (dry). Zinc = 15mg/kg-1 (dry). Iron = 854mg/kg -1 (dry). Manganese = 79mg/kg-1 (dry). Copper = 5mg/kg-1 (dry). Leaves rich in Vitamins A and C. It can be invasive. It has 16.2 mg per 100 g dry weight and 9.0 mg fresh weight of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. They suit the dry lowland areas and grow up to 1,350 m altitude in the tropics. It grows in the Sahel. In Nepal it grows up to 1100 m altitude. They are not hardy to frost. They cannot tolerate water-logging. A pH of 6-7.5 is suitable. It can grow in arid places. It grows in Miombo woodland in Africa. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Andaman Is, Angola, Antigua-Barbuda, Aruba, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Guiana, FSM, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, Honduras, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan (country/location of origin), Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Rwanda, Sahel, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St Kitts, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young tops and leaves are eaten cooked. They are eaten as potherbs or used in soups and curries. They can be dried and stored for later use. The flowers are also used for curries. The very young long pods are eaten cooked, especially in curries and soup. They are also pickled. The young seeds are eaten roasted or fried. Sometimes the roots are used as a horseradish substitute. A gum from the bark is used as seasoning. The bark is used for tea. The roots, leaves, flowers and fruits are eaten cooked in water and mixed with salt and chili peppers. The oil expressed from the seeds is used in salads.

It is sold in markets. An introduced tree probably not widely used for food in Papua New Guinea. Its planting and use should be encouraged. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, roots, bark, pods, spice, vegetable

How it is grown

It is best to grow plants from 1 metre long cuttings but they can be grown from seed. They can be used as a hedge and pruned regularly to produce more leaves. Properly dried seed can be stored for a long time in sealed containers in a cool place. Normally perennial types are grown from cuttings and annual types are grown from seed.

Trees are fast growing. They can be pruned or topped. With one variety the tree flowers and fruits continuously while with the other variety there are flowers and fruit once per year. The fruit ripens 3 months after flowering. Annual types produce fruit 6 months after planting. Leaves are best dried in the shade to retain more of their Vitamin A.

Its other names

Local names

Achajhada, Achuram, Agati, Agdedexatou, Alinga, Arzantiiga, Barrunge, Benoil tree, Benzolive-tree, Boro ni idia, Buah kelentang, Chamwamba, Chhuin gachha, Dan-da-lan, Ekegnibo, Elmakka, Enebeday, Kachang kelok, Kachang kelu, Kachang kelur, Kangaluni, Kelor, Kepienouake, Kilor, La mu, Lembugai, Lopa, Lotaxa, Ma-rum, Malunggay talbos, Marango, Marongghi, Marum, Marungi, M'bum, Merunggai, Midhosaragavo, Mlonge, Morum, Moupekom, Mronge, Mrum, Mulaga, Munaga, Munga arak, Mungna, Muranga gas, Muringa keerai, Murinna, Murruggai, Murunga, Murungai, Murunkai, Nanquera, Nebeday, Nebedayo, N'gnoukou, Nugae, Nugge, Oil of Ben Tree, Pemanggai, Phak i hum, Ramunggai, Rawag, Rembugai, Saajna, Saap saap, Saazna, Sahijan, Sahjan, Sahjana, Sahjna, Saijan, Saijana, Sainjan, Sainjna, Sajaiwan, Sajana, Sajihan, Shaijan, Sajina, Sajiwan, Sajna, Sajyon, Sajina, Sanjna, Saragavo, Saragvo, Segta, Seijan, Seringuane-singa, Shajna, Shanjna, Shekta, Shevga, Shevgi, Shital-chini, Shobhanjana, Shojne, Shorjona, Sigru, Sijan, Sital chini, Sloek morom, Soanjna, Sohanjana, Sohanjna, Sohjna, Sojona, Sondon, Sonjal, Sonjna, Tellamunaga, Thingbe, Ushan, Wasabi no-ki-no-ha, West Indian ben, Wimdi boundu, Zogala, Zogale, Zogola gandi

Synonyms

Guilandina moringa L.; Hyperanthera moringa Willd.; Moringa edulis Medic.; Moringa erecta Salisb.; Moringa parviflora Noronha; Moringa moringa (L.) Small; Moringa myrepsica Thell.; Moringa nux-eben Desf.; Moringa octogona Stokes; Moringa polygona DC.; Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn., nom. illeg.; Moringa zeylanica Pers.;