Re: Moringa (was Leguminosae and folding leaves.)..
Barry Garcia wrote:
>
> I was doing a little exploring around the seed (moving the soil away a
> bit) and i noticed that the seedling is in fact connected to the seed by
> way of a short "stem". So, you are right, it looks like its hypogeal. The
> other seeds that I have noticed this with are California Buckeyes.
>
> I hope to use the Moringa for vegetables (the leaves are eaten along with
> young seed pods and even flowers). I havent tasted the leaves but i am
> curious. The seeds were cheap (5.00 US, including shipping and handling
> for about 10 large seeds). I hear the trees can stand light frost and are
> fairly drought tolerant (they grow thick tuberous roots).
I did a bit of exploring of my own (Flowering Plants of the World) as I
wanted to discover what part of the World the species comes from and
found it is a genuine Med. plant from the African side, so it shouldn't
have any problem with dry periods. Apparently botanically it is a link
between Leguminosae and Capparidaceae.
I see that those tuberous roots are edible and taste like horseradish,
which accounts for the common name. Also that the tree produces Ben oil,
formerly used as a lubricant by watchmakers, but today as a salad oil
and in soap. With all the other uses you mentioned as well it sounds a
useful tree to take to a desert island!!!
Are you in the process of setting up a permaculture garden? Moringa
would appear to fit very nicely into such an arrangement.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
