MADAGASCAR PHANTOM TREE --Moringa drouhardii--

A stunning, small, dry deciduous tree to about 10 m tall from southwestern Madagascar with a thick, white, succulent trunk, similar to the baobab and fern-like foliage. The leaves can be eaten as a vegetable and the large, oil and protein-rich seeds are edible as well. It makes an easy, fast growing and stunning ornamental for the dry tropics and some warm temperate areas.Moringa drouhardii is a deciduous tree that usually grows 5 - 10 metres tall, occasionally to 18 metres. The bole is swollen to facilitate the storge of water and is usually mainly unbranched with short branches near the top[299].The tree is often harvested for local use as a medicine and source of oil. The plant is often grown for its useful properties in Madagascar. The excellent qualities of the oil in cosmetic and medicinal products and its adaptation to very dry conditions deserve further research into the possibilities of domestication and utilization in small-scale industries[299]. It is often the only tree left standing when the vegetation is cleared for pasture[846].AppearanceGrowth Rate FastGrowth Form Medium TreeSmall TreeSucculentOrnamental Value BreathtakingUsesProperties DeciduousHazards Child and Pet FriendlyGardening BonsaiLandscapingOrnamentalFood/Medicinal Edible Seed/NutVegetableAgriculture/Forestry AgroforestryErosion ControlForage/FodderWood Very Light Wood