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horseradishtree

Scientific Name: Moringa oleifera

Family: Moringaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Moringa oleifera: The Horseradish Tree

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the Horseradish Tree, Drumstick Tree, or Ben Oil Tree, is a fast-growing, multi-purpose tree cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions. Its various parts are used for food, medicine, and other applications.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that the roots taste like horseradish. While not explicitly toxic, the pungent nature of the roots might be unappealing or irritating to some pets.

Considerations for Children

  • The text mentions that the roots taste like horseradish. While not explicitly toxic, the pungent nature of the roots might be unappealing or irritating to some children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Moringa oleifera
  • Family: Moringaceae (which contains only one genus, Moringa)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms: Moringa moringa (L.) Millsp., Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn.
  • Common Names: Horseradish Tree, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree, Coatli, Clarifier Tree
  • Ethnic Names: Soanjna, Suhujna (Hindi), Morunga (Tamil), Shakta (Marathi)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Originally native to the foothills of the Himalayas in India.
  • Widely grown in many parts of Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and the Pacific.
  • It's being introduced into drought-ridden lands to augment the local food and fodder supply.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A small, deciduous, and soft-wooded tree, growing to about 25-30 feet tall.
  • Characterized by long, slender, triangular seed pods.
  • In its native region (India), it can grow up to 8 meters per year. In Europe, it may grow approximately 2 meters per year.

Uses

  • All parts of the tree are considered edible.
  • The roots have a pungent taste similar to horseradish and are used as a vegetable.
  • Leaves are rich in Vitamin C.
  • Seeds yield a commercially useful oil.

Quirky Facts

  • Despite its common name, the Horseradish Tree is not related to the horseradish plant.
  • It has been used for thousands of years as an herbal remedy for various ailments.

Additional Information

  • The horseradish tree is sometimes referred to as "mother's best" in East Africa.