What Do Scientists Say About the Moringa Tree?

Classification

• The moringa tree is included in a genus, Moringa, which includes 13 species of trees native to Africa and India; the genus, in turn, is the only one included in the family Moringaceae. The trees are considered to be part of the order Brassicales, an order that also includes cabbage, mustard, papaya, capers and nasturtium. A common characteristic of plants in the order is their production of glucosinolate compounds, natural chemicals that are toxic in high doses.

Cultivation

• In its native India, the moringa tree is usually propagated through cuttings. Growers cut a limb between 3 and 6 feet long and plant it in the summer, usually between June and August. The tree grows quickly and will often begin producing seed pods within six to eight months after it is planted. Trees are regularly productive after two years, and when they are established in a tropical or subtropical habitat, they will flower and produce seed pods continuously. The tree is drought tolerant and grows best in sandy soil.

Chemistry and Uses

• Nearly all parts of the plant are edible, including the flowers, leaves and roots, whose flavor gives the tree its common name, the horseradish tree. Moringa food products are particularly nutritious, containing significant amounts of vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium and protein. The root bark contains two naturally occurring alkaloids, moringine and moringinine, that are potentially harmful. The seeds, which develop inside pods, are sometimes eaten like peanuts, but they also contain a potentially toxic alkaloid. Pressed seeds yield an oil called ben oil which is used as a mechanical lubricant, in soaps and as a salad oil.

Pests and Diseases

• Although drought tolerant and fast growing, the moringa tree is susceptible to a number of common pests. Young trees are vulnerable to weevils, and ripe fruit attracts fruit flies, which can cause the fruit to rot prematurely. Several species of fungi also often infect the moringa tree, including those that cause rust, leaf spot, and spot anthracnose.