Horse-radish tree is native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables. This species is commonly grown by Indian families in their back yards. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.3 to 7.0), well-drained sandy or loamy soil. In waterlogged soil, the roots have a tendency to rot. It can still be found growing in dry areas around Butiaba pier. In Kampala, Moringa can be found within Makerere university, Makerere II zone C, along Owen road, Prince Charles drive among other places.

A deciduous tree to 10 m, usually smaller, pale feathery foliage.

BARK: grey, thick and corky, peeling in patches.

LEAVES: pale green, thrice compound, the whole leaf 30-60 cm, leaflets usually oval, tip rounded 1-2 cm long.

FLOWERS: cream, fading yellow, in long sprays, each flower with 5 petals, one erect and 4 bent back, sweet-scented, attracting insects.

FRUIT: long capsules, to 45 cm, bluntly triangular in section, splitting when dry to release 9 dark brown 3-winged seeds from the pith.

Moringa seed cake can be used for water purification.

Leaves pounded up and used for scrubbing utensils and for cleaning walls.

Moringa oleifera leaf powder can be used as an effective soap for hand washing.

Edible: Seed is said to be eaten like a peanut, thickened root can be used as substitute for horseradish, foliage eaten as greens, in salads, in vegetable curries, as pickles and for seasoning, seed pods/fruits are good source of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium and manganese, mature seeds yield edible oil called ben oil, roots are shredded and used as a condiment (spice, sauce, or preparation that is added to food to enhance its flavor), drumsticks are often chewed to extract the juices and nutrients, with the remaining fibrous material discarded. https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Moringa_oleifera.html

Seeds is used in arts and for lubricating watches and other delicate machinery.

Medicine: flowers, leaves, roots, moringa seed oil. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1242/moringa, https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Moringa_oleifera.html

Moringa oil has tremendous cosmetic value and is used in body and hair care as a moisturizer and skin conditioner.

Oil from moringa seeds is used in foods, perfume, and hair care products, and as a machine lubricant.

Trees planted on graves are believed to keep away hyenas and its branches are used as charms against witchcraft. https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Moringa_oleifera.html

Bark can serve for tanning. The bark used for tanning hides and wood yields a blue dye.

Provides fuel and charcoal though the charcoal is of poor quality.

Bark provides fiber which is used to make small ropes and mats.

Provides timber which is useful only for light construction work.

Provides gum or resin that is used in calico printing, as a condiment, and for stomach and bladder ailments. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Moringa_oleifera.PDF

An ornamental tree.

Agroforestry: provides semi-shade, useful in intercropping systems, helps in controlling erosion, the green leaves make a useful mulch, the press cake left after oil extraction from the seeds can be used as a soil conditioner or as fertilizer, provides wind protection, shade and support for climbing garden plants, can be planted as a boundary marker, can be planted as a living fence (Hausa) tree or a hedge, provides bee forage, foliage can be used as fodder for the animals.