The Drumstick Tree

It is more accurately called the Moringa Tree, and it is one of the most beneficial trees that can be grown. This unusual tree produces quite an abundant harvest of edible leaves, and it also grows "drumsticks" that are from 1 foot to 4 feet long, bursting with plump, edible seeds. The tree is quite well known in many countries outside the US, by a long list of various names. What is Moringa called elsewhere, did you say?

Well, in the Phillipines, it is called Malunggay and Marungay, in Haiti, it is known as Benzolive, and in Punjab, they call it Surajana. In Nicaragua, it is called Marango, and worldwide, other names for Moringa are: Murunga, Sojina, Murungai Maram, Sahjan, Noorggaee, Brède Mouroum, Saragvo, Kelor, Shobhanjana...and the list goes on.

Those "monikers" usually refer to Moringa Oleifera, the most commonly grown variety of Moringa. Not only is it a beautiful tree, in its own right, but it is a very desirable tree to grow, nutritionally speaking. Moringa is also used extensively in industry, but that - is another story. The leaves are intensely bright green, and quite profuse. The Moringa Oleifera's leaves are small and shaped like a chubby almond - a GREEN one! Their seeds are winged, round, brown, and triangular - now, figure THAT one out!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DIFFERENCES IN THEIR LEAVES

The Moringa Stenopetala, also called the African Moringa, has leaves that are just a bit darker green, as a rule - and at least twice the size of the Moringa Oleifera's leaves. Their seeds are almond-shaped, light tan or blonde, and velvety to the touch. Very different seeds, they are, but they grow the same type of tree - a Moringa tree!

Once the tree has produced buds and flower blossoms, it starts to put out green pods, which at first sight, resemble a green string bean. That doesn't last long, because they rapidly get very long, and plump with seeds. Once the seed pods have turned brown, and "crackle" when you touch them, the drumsticks are ready to harvest for their seeds.