Mahua
Moringa concanensis
Family: Moringaceae
What it is like
A small evergreen tree. The bark is thick. The leaves are twice divided. They are 45 cm long. The are 5-6 primary pairs of leaflet stalks then 4-6 pairs of leaflets and an odd one. They are 2.5-3.8 cm long by 1.3-2.5 cm wide. They are pale underneath. The flowers are in a loose group up to 45 cm long. The flowers are small with yellow petals and red veins. The fruit is a pod 30-45 cm long and sharply 3 angled. It has a long point. The seeds are triangle shaped. They are 1.5-2 cm long and white.
There are 13 Moringa species.
Where it is found
A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in semi-deciduous forest.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The unripe fruit are eaten. The fruit and leaves are boiled and used as vegetables. The flowers are washed and stir-fried vegetable.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, flowers, seeds
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Hengvo, Jungli shewaga, Kadunugge soppu, Kattu moringai, Kattumurungai, Peyimurungai