Moringa oleifera


Common names: Horseradish Tree, Bembom

Height: 5 to 10 metres

Features: White flowers, pinnate leaves, light cream ridged bark

Propagation: Easy to grow from seed in well drained soil.  

Growing: Be sure to add some form of defence (e.g wire) around the trunk in its developing years as Iguana’s love the leaves.  

Location: Not too near paths as they drop hundreds of pods (unless you’re the raking type).

Also known as the ‘Tree of Life,’ the Moringa seems to be attracting a lot of attention lately.  I hear its name or read about it more and more frequently.  It’s really a wonder tree and one of the most important in the world.  It is one of the fastest growing trees, drought tolerant and all parts can be eaten or used as medicine including the leaves, pods, flowers, seeds, bark, gum and roots.  The young pods and flowers can be eaten as greens.  The ripe seeds can be cooked and have a peanut flavour.  The roots can be used as horseradish (hence the nickname), but be careful as too much may not be good for you.  Its leaves contain 7 times the Vitamin C of oranges, 4 times the Vitamin A of carrots, 4 times the calcium of milk, 3 times the potassium of bananas and 2 times the protein of yoghurt.  How about that?!