Moringa Stenopetala - the African Miracle Tree

Some of them in the photo are still in their husks, some are de-husked. The seeds on the right side, are de-husked. They look like blanched almonds, but have a soft, velvety feel to them. The seeds on the left side, are still in their husks. For planting purposes, it really doesn't make a difference. Either way, their germination rate is exception, unlike the Moringa Oleifera - and husked, or unhusked - they all grow rapidly.

For their size, they are very lightweight. When you consider that they are the beginning of an immense tree, their seeds appear to be very small - usually between ¾" and 1¼" long. With Moringa trees, those relatively small seeds rapidly grow into huge trees. Avocado pits, or seeds, are giants by comparison - yet the Moringa seeds grow faster, and usually larger, than Avocado trees do. Herein lies one of the exquisite mysteries of our world; how the smallest seed - like a mustard seed, can grow into one of the largest trees on earth.

Short, brown, chubby, and winged - they don't look ANYTHNG like the Moringa Stenopetala seeds, but they are still Moringa seeds. Isn't it odd, how very different the seeds are? Yet, they grow into the very same type of tree - a Moringa tree - in the plant family Moringaceae.

Moringa, and its many unique properties, never ceases to amaze me. Technically, Moringa trees are not supposed to survive freezing weather - ours have! The rule of thumb, with Moringa Oleifera at any rate, is that you should not expect flowers or seed pods - "drumsticks" - until the tree is at least 8 months old. We have had them, consistently, on 6 month old trees. They are not supposed to like any salt in the soil. Well, forget that! We plant them very close to a large body of saltwater, in Florida, and - they thrive! Our theory, is that they must know we love Moringa, because nothing else - makes sense...

Go take a look at "Stan's" page, by clicking on his link farther down this page. Once you get there, you'll meet his buddy "Morey", the Moringa Oleifera seed. He and "Stan" have a good time telling everyone how terrific Moringa is, for the environment, and for your health. They are just full of good information, and never tire of singing the praises of Moringa. They wish everyone could grow it, and want everyone to eat it!

They weren't on the tree very long, because I stripped them off of their branches, and ate them. In my opinion, they just "can't be beat", for ease of stripping enough of them off to make a meal, and their exotic "nutty-leaf" taste!

One thing we love about Moringa Stenopetala, is that it cooks fast and keeps its bright green color - unlike many leafy greens.

The raw leaves provide an walloping dose of Vitamin C that puts oranges to shame. Even when cooked, the Vitamin A in Moringa leaves of any variety puts spinach to shame, the calcium is usable - unusual in the plant kingdom, the protein content is high, and the nutritional list just goes on and on. A few minutes spent in harvesting Moringa Stenopetala's large leaves, can provide enough greens to feed - and nourish - a large family!