General information

The Moringaceae is a single genus family with 14 known species. Of these Moringa oleifera Lam. (syns. Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn.) is the most widely known and utilised species. A native of the sub-Himalayan regions of north west India, Moringa oleifera (M.oleifera) is now indigenous to many countries in Africa, Arabia, South East Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean Islands and South America. Commonly known as the 'horse-radish' tree (arising from the taste of a condiment prepared from the roots) or 'drumstick' tree (arising from the shape of the pods), M.oleifera has a host of other country specific vernacular names, an indication of the significance of the tree around the world.

As a result of the ubiquitous nature of the tree, an immense amount of botanical literature has been produced relating to its description and ecology. Only a brief summary will be presented here (for more detailed information the reader is directed to the selected references). The tree ranges in height from 5 - 12m with an open, umbrella shaped crown, straight trunk (10-30cm thick) with corky, whitish bark. The tree produces a tuberous tap root which helps explain its observed tolerance to drought conditions. The evergreen or deciduous foliage (depending on climate) has leaflets 1-2 cm in diameter, the flowers are pleasantly fragranced, white or cream coloured and are borne profusely in axilliary drooping panicles 10-25 cm long. The fruits (pods) are initially light green, slim and tender eventually becoming dark green and firm up to 120cm long depending on the variety. Fully mature, dried seeds are round or triangular shaped, the kernel surrounded by a lightly wooded shell with three papery wings.

Originally considered a tree of hot, semi-arid regions (annual rainfall 250 - 1500mm) it has also been found to be well adapted to hot, humid, wet conditions with annual rainfall in excess of 3000mm. The tree was originally considered to be suitable only for lowland cultivation at altitudes less than 600m. However, the adaptability of the tree has been demonstrated by the discovery of natural stands at altitudes of 1200m in Mexico and in excess of 2000m in Zimbabwe. M.oleifera can also grow in a variety of soil conditions. Although preferring well drained sandy or loamy soils, heavier clay soils will be tolerated although water logging should be avoided. The tree is reported to be tolerant to light frosts and can be established in slightly alkaline soils up to pH 9.

Selected reading

Booth, F.E.M. and Wickens,G.E. 1988, Non-timber uses of selected arid zone trees and shrubs in Africa, FAO, Rome, pp92-101.

Jahn,S.A.A. 1981. Traditional water purification in tropical developing countries: existing methods and potential applications. Manual No.117, Pub.: GTZ, Eschborn, Germany

Jahn,S.A.A. 1986, Proper use of African natural coagulants for rural water supplies. Manual No.191, Pub.: GTZ, Eschborn, Germany.

Morton,J.F. 1991. The horseradish tree, Moringa pterygosperma (Moringaceae) - A boon to arid lands? Economic Botany 45 (3) pp318-333.

Nautiyal,B.P. and Venkataraman,K.G. 1987, Moringa (drumstick) - An ideal tree for social forestry: Growing conditions and uses - Part 1. Myforest, 23 (1) pp53-58.

Ram,J., 1994, Moringa a highly nutritious vegetable tree, Tropical Rural and Island/Atoll Development Experimental Station (TRIADES), Technical Bulletin No.2.

Ramachandran,C., Peter,K.V. and Gopalakrishnan,P.K., 1980, Drumstick (Moringa oleifera): A multipurpose Indian Vegetable. Economic Botany, 34 (3) pp276-283.

Valia,R.Z., Patil,V.K., Patel, Z.N. and Kapadia,P.K. 1993, Physiological responses of Drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) to varying levels of ESP. Indian J.Plant Physiol., 36 (4) pp261-262.

Verdcourt,B., 1985, A synopsis of the Moringaceae. Kew Bulletin, 40 (1) pp 1-34.