Horseradishtree
Moringa oleifera
- Native to:
- India, Pakistan
Rik Schuiling / TropCrop - Tropical Crops Services, Wageningen
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Moringaceae
- Genus:
- Moringa
- Species:
- Moringa oleifera
- USDA Symbol:
- MOOL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Xylocopa micans
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots and trunk after cutting or fire damage due to its soft, corky bark and extensive root system.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.3 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to semi-arid tropical and subtropical areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment. Fresh seeds have higher germination rates; plant 1-2 cm deep in warm soil.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI