Moringa oleifera  

Moringa oleifera  Lam.

Family       : Moringaceae

Common Name : മുരിങ്ങ(Mal)

: सेंजन(Hin)

: Drumstick Tree (Eng)

IUCN Status : Least concern (LC)

Drumstick tree is a small, deciduous tree, of the family Moringaceae, native to tropical Asia but also naturalized in Africa and tropical America. Drumstick trees can reach a height of about 9 m (30 feet); they have corky gray bark, branching and fernlike leaves. Highly scented white flowers and long bean like seed pods. Seed pods are used as a vegetable, especially in south Indian cuisine, e.g. drumstick sambar. An excellent oil is derived from the seeds, which is used for cooking and lubrication of delicate mechanisms. The leaves are extensively used as a vegetable in many parts of the world, and the root can be made into a condiment similar to horseradish 

Small trees; branchlets lenticellate. Leaves tri-pinnate, to 50 cm, tomentose, pinnae and pinnules opposite, rachis thickened; leaflets to 2 x 1 cm, oblong, obtuse at apex, pubescent; petiolule to 1 mm. Panicles axillary, tomentose; flowers white, pedicels to 1.5 cm. Calyx lobes 1.5 cm, oblong, reflexed, pubescent outside. Petals 1.5 x 0.5 cm, spathulate, unequal. Fertile stamens 5, filaments 1 cm; anthers one celled, intervened by 5 or 7 staminodes. Ovary 1-celled, 3-valved, to 5 mm, ovoid, tomentose, style 8 mm, stigma perforated. Pod to 80 cm, 9-ribbed; seeds winged.

Use: The bark, sap, roots, leaves, seeds and flowers are used in traditional medicine. Research has examined how it might affect blood lipid profiles, although it is not effective at diagnosing, treating, or preventing any human diseases

Distribution : Cultivated throughout India and many tropical countries

Flowering & Fruiting : November-May