Moringa

Trees or shrubs, [massive pachycauls, baobab-like with water-storing trunk], slender-trunked. Leaves: stipules with nectaries at growing tip; rachis articulation with stalked glands; [1-pinnate](2–)3–4(–5)-pinnate; leaflet blade membranous [subcoriaceous], [lanceolate, oblanceolate, linear] round or oval, venation sometimes conspicuous abaxially, apex glandular, surfaces [pubescent] puberulent or glabrous. Flowers: parts usually with hairs forming a barrier distal to the nectariferous hypanthium; 1 sporangium initiated in anther ontogeny. Capsules 2-valved, often constricted between seeds. Seeds [1]2–3 cm, winged [not winged], sometimes with spongy seed coat, shed by gravity. x = 11.

Distribution

Asia (Bangladesh, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen), sw, ne Africa, Indian Ocean Islands (Madagascar), introduced also pantropically.

Discussion

Species 13 (1 in the flora).

Little is known about breeding systems in Moringa; M. longituba Engler appears incapable of self-pollination, and flowers with sterile anthers have been reported in M. concanensis Nimmo ex Dalzell & Gibson. All species are used medicinally locally; M. stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufodontis is used as a leaf vegetable in northwestern Kenya and southwestern Ethiopia.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Moringa oleifera