Moringa: niche analysis

Moringa
 
Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree
Moringa oleifera

Habits: foothills of Himalayas, North West India and Bangladesh; adapted to many climates, including tropics

Needs, tolerances & susceptibilities: water - low, does not tolerate soggy soil; drainage - good, sandy soil; sun - full; tolerates poor soil and drought

Characteristics & behaviours: form - tree; height - 10m tall but responds to pruning; root structure - deep tap root; growth rate - very fast; cold deciduous (<5 deg C)

Design functions: screen, shade

Products: food - nutritious leaves, use in soups and curries; seeds, pods and roots all edible; flowers make a tea; fibre - branches straight, can be used as a stake though wood is soft; medicine - highly nutritious

Ecological functions: fodder, chop and drop

Integration notes: Stock available at Ladybird Nursery; placement along South fence adjacent to chook pen; irrigation from water catchments #3 and #4 overflow, draining to rear of site.

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