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(Moringa oleifera)
Horseradish Tree (Moringa oleifera)
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Harvey McDaniel from Naalehu, HI
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Harvey McDaniel from Naalehu, HI
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Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Harvey McDaniel from Naalehu, HI | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 | Uploader: FlickrLickr | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Moringa_flower_5.jpg | Notes: |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Moringa oleifera, commonly known as Horseradish Tree, is an evergreen or semi-deciduous plant native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of India and Pakistan. This fast-growing tree can reach heights of 10–12 m (32–40 ft) with a trunk diameter of 45 cm (1.5 ft). Its bark is whitish-grey, covered in thick cork, while young shoots may have purplish or greenish-white, hairy bark. The open crown consists of drooping branches with feathery foliage of tripinnate leaves. Fragrant, hermaphroditic flowers with five unequal, thinly veined, yellowish-white petals appear within six months after planting. In temperate climates, flowering occurs once annually in late spring to early summer, but in areas with constant seasonal temperatures and rainfall, it may flower biannually or throughout the year.
The Horseradish Tree is valued for its rapid growth and nutritional properties, as its leaves, pods, and seeds are edible. It is often cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its use in traditional medicine and as a food supplement. The tree is also used for water purification and has a reputation for being easy to grow. It is suitable for urban planting, border planting, and as a specimen tree in large gardens. Moringa prefers full sun and can tolerate a wide range of soil types but thrives best in neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained sandy or loamy soils. It is not frost-tolerant and may suffer root rot in waterlogged conditions. While Moringa oleifera is not typically invasive, it can become a problem in some regions, so it is important to check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Horseradish Tree is valued for its rapid growth and nutritional properties, as its leaves, pods, and seeds are edible. It is often cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its use in traditional medicine and as a food supplement. The tree is also used for water purification and has a reputation for being easy to grow. It is suitable for urban planting, border planting, and as a specimen tree in large gardens. Moringa prefers full sun and can tolerate a wide range of soil types but thrives best in neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained sandy or loamy soils. It is not frost-tolerant and may suffer root rot in waterlogged conditions. While Moringa oleifera is not typically invasive, it can become a problem in some regions, so it is important to check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 32-40 feet
- Width: 20-30 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Cream, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen, Semi-Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bird Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fragrant, Low Maintenance
Other Names
Common Names: Horseradish Tree, Drumsticktree, Horseradish-Tree, Moringa, Ben Oil Tree, Benzolive Tree, , Ben-Oil-Tree, Benzolive-Tree, West Indian Ben
Scientific Names: , Moringa oleifera, Moringa pterygosperma, Moringa moringa, Guilandina moringa, Hyperanthera moringa, Moringa nux-eben, Moringa robusta, Moringa zeylanica, Anoma moringa
GBIF Accepted Name: Moringa oleifera Lam.