Moringa oleifera

Ben, Oil of Ben Tree, Drum-stick Tree, Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree, Ben oil tree, Miracle tree

Message of the Flower

Hygienic Organisation

The Mother’s Comment

Cleanliness, order, utility.

Colour

Cream white, yellow

Family

Moringaceae

Cultivars

Few specific cultivars are widely recognized, as the species itself is highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties.

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus

Flower Size

Small to medium

Flower Texture

Soft and delicate

Number of Petals

Five

Floral Symmetry

Radially symmetrical

Fragrance of Flower

Mildly fragrant

Leaf Texture

Smooth, slightly leathery

Leaf Arrangement

Bipinnate or tripinnate

Leaf Color

Green

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Tree

Life Cycle

Perennial

Blooming Period

Throughout the year in tropical climates, with peaks in spring and autumn

Climate

Tropical and subtropical

Water Requirements

Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

Soil Type

Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soil but is highly adaptable

Temperature Ranges

Can tolerate a wide range, but prefers temperatures between 25-35C (77-95F)

Sun or Shade

Prefers full sun

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Generally resistant but can be affected by some pests and diseases in poor conditions

Pollinators

Bees and other insects

Habitat

Native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas; widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world

Role in the Ecosystem

Nutrient cycling, soil improvement, and providing food for wildlife

Ornamental

Grown for its attractive foliage and flowers, though primarily valued for utility

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Agriculture (as a natural pesticide), water purification, and nutrition

Endangered Status

Agriculture (as a natural pesticide), water purification, and nutrition