Moringa aka 'Miracle Tree'
A fast-growing, much-branched and crooked deciduous, tree with a corky bark. Possesses tuberous roots. When injured, the plant exudes a milky sap. Young shoots are purplish or greenish white. Leaves are green and 2 to 3 pinnate, with up to 6 pairs of pinnae. Leaflets are obovate in shape. Flowers are borne on an erect or spreading panicle comprising of numerous white, fragrant flowers. Fruit is a three-angled, long and slender capsule. Green when young, the fruits turn brown when mature.
There are over 13 species of Moringa plants, all of which can be used for food or medicinal purposes.
Other popular moringa varieties include:
- Moringaceae arborea
- Moringaceae borziana
- Moringaceae longituba
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Moringa oleifera Lamk
Synonyms:
Moringa pterygosperma
COMMON NAME
Moringa Plant, Moringa Tree, Miracle Tree,Horse-radish Tree, Kelur, Merunggai, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree, 辣木
CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) Plant Growth Form Tree (Small (6m-15m)) Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic Plant Shape Umbrella, Weeping / Pendulous, Open Maximum Height 10 m Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter 0 PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION
Light Preference Full Sun
Growth may be stunted if the plants do not receive enough light.
Water Preference Moderate Water
Established moringa plants are drought-tolerant, but young plants need more consistent moisture to encourage strong growth.
Soil Preference Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Avoid compacted soil or soil that holds too much moisture as Moringa plants are sensitive to root rot.
Plant Growth Rate Moderate Maintenance Requirements Low Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting FAQs
When do you prune moringa?
- When the tree reaches a height of 1 meter (3.25′) cut to height of .5 meter (20″).
- When tree reaches a height of 1.5 meters (5′) cut to height of 1 meter (3.25′).
- When tree reaches a height of 2 meters (6.5′) cut to height of 1.5 meter (5′).
- When tree reaches a height of 2.5 (8′) meters cut to height of 2 meters (6.5′).
- When harvesting leaves or seed pods prune trees to height of 2 meters (6.5′).
When will flowers bloom?
- Flowers will appear around 4-9 months.
When will seed pods appear?
- Seed pods will mature at around 12 months.
Source:
https://www.strongharvest.org/growing-and-using-moringa/
How to create bushy growth?
Pinch the terminal bud on the central stem when the tree reaches a height of 50cm to one metre. This will trigger the growth of lateral branches which must be pinched too. This will promote the growth of many lateral branches, increase yields and reduce the height of the tree.
Source:
https://punchng.com/starting-your-own-moringa-business/
Rule of thumb: no more than 10-20% of the canopy should be removed at a time.
Source:
https://blog.davey.com/2016/06/how-to-prune-or-trim-young-trees-for-structure-and-form/
USES
- Immature green pods, called “drumsticks” are edible and often used in curries. They are eaten by sucking out their internal contents and the tough valves are discarded.
- Seeds inside mature pods can be eaten like peas or roasted like nuts.
- Flowers are also edible when cooked.
- Roots are shredded and used as a condiment like horseradish.
- The highly nutritious leaves are cooked and used like spinach and can also be dried and crushed into a powder that is used in soups and sauces.
- Mature seeds contain about 25% oil that does not turn rancid. Used for cooking, lubrication and perfumery purposes. Seeds are also pounded and used to purify dirty or cloudy drinking water.
Disclaimer
The information in this website is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
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