Cabbage-tree - World Crops Database

Cabbage tree flowers - Photo by Wendy Cutler

Cabbage tree is a tree in the Moringa genus. Its leaves are edible and seeds can be used to purify water. Cabbage tree is native to Kenya and Ethiopia. It is related to Drumstick tree; another tree in the same genus.

Note that the name Cabbage tree is also used for several other plants, which can create some confusion.

Names

Scientific
   Moringa stenopetala
English
   African moringa
   Cabbage-tree
Dutch
   Afrikaanse moringa
   Afrikaanse moringa-boom

Taxonomy

Order
   Brassicales
Family
   Moringaceae
Genus
   Moringa
Species
   Moringa stenopetala (Cabbage-tree)

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Ethiopia, Kenya

Evergreen or deciduous:

Cabbage tree is a deciduous plant.

Flowers:

Fragrant flowers with creamy-pink sepals, and white or yellow petals.

Leaves:

Bipinnate or tripinnate leaves, with about 5 pairs of pinnae. On each pinna there are 3 to 9 elliptic or ovate leaflets.

Fruits:

Long pods with a reddish color.

Climate and weather:

Tropical

Height:

It’s a small tree up to 12 meters tall.

Propagation:

Usually propagated from cuttings but can be grown from seed.

Uses:

Leaves are edible and are used as a vegetable. Powder made by grinding the seeds is used for water purification. Also sometimes used in traditional medicines.