Drumstick tree

Drumstick tree fruits marketed
Buton Island Indonesia
(Copyright by photographer)

Immature green pods of the Moringa are eaten as a vegetable. They are called “drumstick”, which is why the tree is known as Drumstick tree. Also the leaves are edible and sold as vegetables. Many parts of the tree are used as medicines.

Names

Scientific
   Moringa oleifera
Synonym
   Guilandina moringa
   Moringa polygona
   Moringa pterygosperma
English
   Ben oil tree
   Benzoil tree
   Drumstick
   Drumstick tree
   Horseradish tree
   Moringa
   West Indian Ben
Spanish
   Moringa
French
   Ben ailé
   Moringa
German
   Meerrettichbaum
   Pferderettichbaum
   Trommelstockbaum

Taxonomy

Genus
   Moringa
Family
   Moringaceae
Order
   Brassicales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Drumstick tree originates from Northern India and Pakistan.

Distribution:

This tree is now found throughout the tropics, often in home gardens.

Uses:

The tree has many uses, but is often used as a vegetable. Young fruits are eaten, but also leaves and flowers are cooked or used in soups. Twigs and leaves are also used as fodder. Almost all parts of the tree are used for medicinal purposes, for example as a disinfectant. Seeds are used to purify water.