Horseradish Tree, Moringa,

Medicinal Uses

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Inner bark  Leaves  Oil  Root  Seed  Seedpod  Shoots | Edible Uses: Condiment  Gum  Oil  TeaYoung leaves and shoots - raw or cooked[301 ]. Added to salads, cooked as a potherb and added to soups and curries[299 , 301 , 307 ]. They have a mustard-like flavour[301 ]. The leaves contain 7 - 10% protein[301 ]. (This almost certainly refers to the dried leaf[K ].) The leaves are very nutritious, being rich in vitamins, minerals and the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine, which are often in short supply[303 ]. The young, tender seedlings make an excellent cooked vegetable[301 , 303 ]. Flowers - raw or cooked[299 , 301 ]. Added to salads, cooked as a potherb and added to soups and curries[301 , 303 ]. They can also be used to make a tea[303 ]. Seedpods. The long, bean-like pods are used in soups and curries, or made into pickles[301 ]. The young pods are said to have a taste reminiscent of asparagus[303 ] and can be eaten raw[307 ]. The pods can be 15 - 45cm long[418 ]. Seeds. The immature seeds are eaten like peas[301 ]. A sweet flavour[307 ]. Mature seeds, when roasted or fried, are said to resemble peanuts in flavour[299 , 301 ]. An oil obtained from the seeds is used in salads and cooking[301 ]. Pleasantly flavoured, it resembles olive oil and is an excellent salad oil[303 ]. The oil is clear and odourless and does not become rancid quickly[299 ]. The seeds from mature pods (which can be 40-50 cm long) are browned in a skillet, mashed and placed in boiling water, which causes the oil to float to the surface[303 ]. The pungent root is used like horseradish (Armoracea rusticana) as a hot flavouring in foods[301 , 303 ]. Even when free of the bark, the condiment when used in excess may be harmful[303 ]. A reddish gum obtained from the bark is used as a seasoning[301 ]. Used in a similar manner to gum tragacanth[200 ].

Cultivation

Agroforestry Services: Alley crop  Agroforestry Services: Contour hedgerow  Agroforestry Services: Crop shade  Agroforestry Services: Living fence  Agroforestry Services: Living trellis  Fodder: Bank  Industrial Crop: Medicinal  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop  Other Systems: FMAFS  Other Systems: Homegarden  Staple Crop: Oil  Staple Crop: ProteinHorseradish tree succeeds in warm temperate to tropical areas and can be found at elevations from sea-level to about 1,000 metres[303 ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 35°c, but can tolerate 7 - 48°c[418 ]. The plant is quite cold hardy and is not harmed by light frosts, but it can be killed back to ground level by a freeze. It quickly sends out new growth from the trunk when cut, or from the ground when frozen[303 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 2,200mm, but tolerates 400 - 2,600mm[418 ]. Easily grown in a well-drained soil in a sunny position, tolerating a wide range of soil types[200 , 307 ]. It grows best on fertile and well drained sandy soil, clay or clay loam but is in general suitable for light, medium and heavy soils thoigh it will not withstand salinity. It has a special tolerance to shallow soil and is tolerant of low fertility[404 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 8.5[418 ]. Established plants are quite drought tolerant but yield much less foliage when continuously under water stress[303 ]. Grows better if given shelter from strong winds[418 ]. Moringa is an extremely fast-growing tree, and within 1- 3 months trees can reach 2.5 metres in height[303 ]. Growth rates of 3 - 4 metres per year is not unusual for young plants[299 ] Young trees raised from seed start flowering after 2 years. In trees grown from cuttings the first fruits may be expected 6 - 12 months after planting[299 ]. Flowering often precedes or coincides with the formation of new leaves, and can occur throughout the year in non-seasonal climates[299 ]. Constant pruning of up to 1.5 metres per year is suggested to obtain a thick-limbed and multibranched shrub[303 ]. It coppices and pollards well[303 ]. The sweet smelling flowers are produced throughout the year[404 ]. In the warmer parts of its range the plant can produce a second crop of seeds each year[418 ]. There is at least one named variety[301 ]. Flowering Time: Late Spring/Early Summer. Bloom Color: White/Near White. Spacing: 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m). Moringa oleifera is generally self-fertile. Leaves can be harvested throughout the year, while pods are typically harvested in late Summer to early Autumn. Moringa flowers in Spring to early Summer. Moringa is a fast-growing tree, often reaching maturity in about 6-8 months under optimal conditions.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Readily colonizes stream banks and savannah areas where the soils are well drained and the water table remains fairly high all the year round[303 ].