02395 Drumstick tree index as; Moringa oleifera, Moringa, Moringa tree, Drumstick tree, Moringa pterygosperma, Moringaceae, seed pods, horseradish tree, horseradish, ben oil tree or benzoil tree, fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, improve nutrition, food security, sustainable landcare, Roots, bark, sap, vitamin K, manganese, roots, leaves, seeds, oil, nutrition, B vitamins, vitamin C, provitamin A as beta-carotene, vitamin K, manganese, Vitamin A as beta-carotene, Vitamin A, beta-carotene, protein, Calcium, Potassium, dietary minerals, behenic acid, and flowers. - "Drumstick tree" and variants thereof redirect here. This name is also used for the golden shower tree (Cassia fistulosa). Moringa oleifera Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Rosids Order: Brassicales Family: Moringaceae Genus: Moringa Species: M. oleifera Binomial name Moringa oleifera Lam. [1] drumstick tree,[1] from the appearance of the long, slender, triangular seed pods, horseradish tree, It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that is native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India, but widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical areas. The tree itself is rather slender, with drooping branches that grow to approximately 10m in height. In cultivation, it is often cut back annually to 1--2 meters and allowed to regrow so the pods and leaves remain within arm's reach.[2] The moringa tree is grown mainly in semiarid, tropical, and subtropical areas, corresponding in the United States to USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10. It grows best in dry sandy soil and tolerates poor soil, including coastal areas. As of 2010, cultivation in Hawai'i, for commercial distribution in the United States, is in its early stages.[7] "India is the largest producer of moringa, with an annual production of 1.1 to 1.3 million tonnes of tender fruits from an area of 380 km². Among the states, Andhra Pradesh leads in both area and production (156.65 km²) followed by Karnataka (102.8 km²) and Tamil Nadu (74.08 km²). In other states, it occupies an area of 46.13 km². Tamil Nadu is the pioneering state in·so·much as it has varied genotypes from diversified geographical areas and introductions from Sri Lanka."[8] Moringa is grown in home gardens and as living fences in Tamil Nadu, Southern India and Thailand, where it is commonly sold in local markets.[9] In the Philippines, it is commonly grown for its leaves which are used in soup. Moringa is also actively cultivated by the World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, a center for vegetable research with a mission to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved production and consumption of vegetables. Tamil Nadu, Southern India has moringa in its folk stories and use in home gardens. It is also widely cultivated in Africa, Cambodia, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Sri Lanka.[citation needed] In the Philippines, moringa is propagated by planting 1--2 m-long limbs cuttings, preferably from June to August. The plant starts bearing pods 6--8 months after planting, but regular bearing commences after the second year, continuing for several years. It can also be propagated by seeds, which are planted an inch below the surface and can be germinated year-round in well-draining soil. As with all plants, optimum cultivation depends on producing the right environment for the plant to thrive. Moringa is a sun and heat-loving plant, and thus does not tolerate freeze or frost. Moringa is particularly suitable for dry regions, as it can be grown using rainwater without expensive irrigation techniques. General nutrition[edit source | editbeta] Many parts of the moringa are edible. Regional uses of the moringa as food vary widely, and include: The immature seed pods, called "drumsticks", popular in Asia and Africa. Leaves, particularly in the Cambodia, Philippines, South India, Sri Lanka and Africa. Mature seeds Oil pressed from the mature seeds Roots In some regions, the young seed pods are most commonly eaten,[10] while in others, the leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant. The flowers are edible when cooked and are said to taste like mushrooms. The bark, sap, roots, leaves, seeds, oil, and flowers are used in traditional medicine in several countries. In Jamaica, the sap is used for a blue dye. Leaves[edit source | editbeta] The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant, being a significant source of B vitamins, vitamin C, provitamin A as beta-carotene, vitamin K, manganese and protein, among other essential nutrients - SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera

• published: 21 Sep 2013
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