This fast-growing tropical tree is Moringa, Moringa oleifera. It is also known as the Drumstick Tree, Horseradish Tree and Ben Oil Tree. It belongs to the small plant family Moringaceae and is native to the foothills of the northwestern Indian subcontinent. It is now cultivated throughout warm regions of the world for food, medicine, animal fodder and many other uses.

Moringa is usually a small to medium-sized tree with a soft, pale trunk and an open, irregular crown. It grows rapidly, but its branches and wood are relatively weak and may break in strong winds.

The leaves are large and finely divided. Each leaf is made up of many small, rounded leaflets arranged along several branching stalks, giving the foliage a light, delicate appearance.

During a long dry period, the tree may shed some or all of its leaves to conserve water. Once moisture returns, it can produce fresh growth very quickly.

The flowers are small, fragrant and creamy white, often with pale yellow markings. They appear in loose, branching clusters and attract bees and other pollinating insects.

After flowering, the tree develops long, narrow seed pods that hang from the branches. These pods may reach well over a foot in length and have three distinct ridges running from end to end. Their long, slender shape explains the common name “Drumstick Tree.”

Young pods are eaten as a vegetable in parts of Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. The leaves are also widely cooked and eaten and are valued for their protein, vitamins and minerals. Flowers, immature seeds and roots have also been used traditionally, although not every plant part is equally safe or suitable for casual use.

As the pods mature, they become dry and brown and split open into three sections. Inside are rounded seeds, each surrounded by three thin, papery wings that help with wind dispersal.

The seeds contain an oil once known as ben oil. It is clear, stable and slow to become rancid and has been used in cooking, cosmetics, perfumes and for lubricating delicate machinery.

Ground Moringa seeds also contain proteins that can cause suspended particles in muddy water to clump together and settle. This property has been studied and used as a simple first step in water clarification, although it does not by itself guarantee that contaminated water is safe to drink.

Moringa tolerates heat, drought and relatively poor soil, but it grows best in full sun with good drainage. Its rapid growth allows leaves and young shoots to be harvested repeatedly.

This is therefore an extraordinarily useful tree. Its delicate leaves provide food, its flowers support pollinators, its long pods are eaten as vegetables, and its seeds yield oil and can assist with water clarification.

When presenting it to a group, the best features to point out are the finely divided leaves and the remarkably long, three-sided pods hanging from the branches.