Horseradish Tree (Moringa oleifera)

Family: Moringaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Commonly known in various names such as Horseradish tree, Moringa, Drumstick tree, Ben Oil tree, and Benzoil tree, Moringa oleifera is the only genus in the Moringaceae family. It is deciduous, fast growing, and resistant to drought reaching a height of up to 12 m and trunk diameter of up to 45 cm upon maturity. It has an open crown of drooping branches and tripinatte leaves. The leaves are yellow-white, fragrant, and thinly veined.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers, Flowers, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich in vitamins, minerals and the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine, which are often in short supply. — Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked.; Added to salads, cooked as a potherb and added to soups and curries.; They have a mustard-like flavour.; The leaves contain 7 - 10% protein.

Habitat & North American Range

Readily colonizes stream banks and savannah areas where the soils are well drained and the water table remains fairly high all the year round. (Zone 10)