Moringa ruspoliana

Family: Moringaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub or tree. It has a fattened trunk and loses its leaves during the year. It grows 8 m tall. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk made up of 5-7 leaflets. These are 2-10 cm long by 1-9 cm wide. The sepals of the flowers are narrow and about 2 cm long. They are red. They are in groups near the ends of branches. The fruit is a narrow capsule 18-30 cm long and about 1 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry alkaline soil. It grows between 180-960 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Gum

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Hyperanthera ruspoliana (Engl.) Chiov.;