Moringa stenopetala aka Cabbagetree

Moringa stenopetala is a deciduous tree in the Moringaceae family. Its common names include African horseradish tree and cabbage tree. It comes from southern and southwestern Ethiopia and Kenya. It grows in dry tropical regions with seasonal rain. Wild habitats include woodland, scrub, and rocky ground near permanent water. People grow it in home gardens for food and shade.

Garden references give a height and spread near 30 feet [9 metres]. Other accounts describe heights of 20–39 feet [6–12 metres]. One summary reports trees reaching 49 feet [15 metres]. The crown is dense, with many branches. The trunk swells into a bottle shape. It can reach about 3.3 feet [1 metre] across. Smooth bark covers the trunk, and the branches are soft. The leaves are compound, with separate leaflets along a central stalk. White flowers have a scent. Long, yellow fruit pods split apart and release winged seeds.

This tree grows best in sun but accepts light shade. It needs soil that drains well. Sandy, loamy, and clay soils can all suit it. It accepts acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. Dry and moist soils both fall within its range. It withstands drought, though it also grows near groundwater. Warm tropical conditions suit it best. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. Light frost may not kill it. After harder frost, surviving plants may shoot from the base.

Young leaves provide a vegetable, eaten raw or cooked. They form an important food crop in Ethiopia. Families may eat them each day during the dry season. One traditional dish combines boiled leaves with small cereal dough balls. Young fruits, flowers, and seedpods are also edible. The leaves contain glucosinolates, which may contribute to goitre. This matters most where diets lack enough iodine. Reports of food use therefore do not establish unrestricted safety. Sources also record folk medicine uses for leaves and roots. These reports do not establish that such treatments work.

Beyond food, gardeners use the tree for shade and living fences. It can serve as a windbreak and help limit erosion. Bees also use it. Its seeds help clarify water, while seed oil serves as a lubricant. Growers can manage the tree by coppicing. Fresh seed germinates well in warm, moist compost. Seedlings need water during establishment. PFAF reports no weed potential for this species.