Lovely shot, Vinod ji. Some extracts from Wikipedia link (for pictures/ more details, pl. click on the link): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera
*Moringa oleifera*, commonly referred to simply as *Moringa* (Tamil * murungai*, முருங்கை),(Kannada *Nuggekai*) (*Mulakkaya* in Telugu<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telugu>), (Marathi *Shevaga*), (*Malunggay* in Tagalog<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagalog>) is the most widely cultivated variety of the genus *Moringa<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa> *. It is of the family Moringaceae. It is an exceptionally nutritious vegetable <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable> tree<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree>with a variety of potential uses. The tree itself is rather slender with drooping branches <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch> that grows to approximately 10 m in height; however, it normally is cut back annually to one meter or less, and allowed to regrow, so that pods<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pod>and leaves <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaves> remain within arm's reach. Considered one of the world’s most useful trees, as almost every part of the Moringa tree can be used for food <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food>, or has some other beneficial property. In the tropics it is used as forage<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forage>for livestock <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livestock>. And in many countries, Moringa is used as a micronutrient<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronutrient>powder to treat indigenous diseases. A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known vegetable has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[2]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera#cite_note-1> The immature <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immature> green pods, called “drumsticks” are probably the most valued and widely used part of the tree. They are commonly consumed in India, and are generally prepared in a similar fashion to green beans <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_beans> and have a slight asparagus <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus> taste<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taste>. The seeds are sometimes removed from more mature pods and eaten like peas<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peas>or roasted like nuts <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_(fruit)>. The flowers<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowers>are edible when cooked, and are said to taste like mushrooms <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushrooms>. The roots<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root>are shredded and used as a condiment <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condiment> in the same way as horseradish <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseradish>, however it contains the alkaloid <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaloid> spirochin<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spirochin&action=edit&redlink=1>, a potentially fatal nerve <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve> paralyzing agent, so such practices should be strongly discouraged. The leaves are highly nutritious <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutritious>, being a significant source of beta-carotene<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-carotene>, Vitamin C <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C>, protein<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein>, iron <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron> and potassium<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium>. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinach>. In addition to being used fresh as a substitute for spinach, its leaves are commonly dried and crushed into a powder<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_(substance)>, and used in soups <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soups> and sauces<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauces>. *Murungakai* as it is locally known in Tamil Nadu<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Nadu>and Kerala <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala> is used in Siddha medicine<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddha_medicine>. Its leaves are full of medicinal properties. The tree is a good source for calcium and phosphorus. In Siddha medicine, the drumstick seeds are used as a sexual virility <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virility> drug for treating erectile dysfunction in men and also in women for prolonging sexual activity. The Moringa seeds yield 38–40% edible oil<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_oil>(called ben oil <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_oil>, from the high concentration of behenic acid <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behenic_acid> contained in the oil). The refined oil <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_oil> is clear, odorless, and resists rancidity <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidation> at least as well as any other botanical oil. The seed cake remaining after oil extraction may be used as a fertilizer <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer> or as a flocculent <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flocculation> to purify<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purify>water. The bark <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bark>, sap<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sap_(plant)>, roots, leaves, seeds, oil and flowers are used in traditional medicine<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_medicine>in several countries. In Jamaica <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica>, the sap is used for a blue dye <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dye>. The flowers are also cooked and relished as a delicacy in West Bengal and Bangladesh, especially during early spring. There it is called *sojne ful*and is usually cooked with green peas and potato <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato>. 2009/4/12 Anand Kumar Bhatt <[email protected]> > Sahjan blooms and blooms. It is said: > > sahjan ati jo phuliye/ Daar paat ki hani > > Means Sahjan flowers so much that even the branches break. > > It attracts birds for the honey in the flower, and the drum stick is good > for health in so many ways. > akbhatt > > > On Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 1:54 PM, vinod kumar gupta <[email protected] > > wrote: > >> Taken at nehru park on 5.4.9 >> >> Vinod >> >> >> >> > > > -- > Anand Kumar Bhatt > A-59, B.S.F.Colony, Airport Road > Gwalior. 474 005. > Tele: 0751-247 2233. Mobile 0 94253 09780. > My blogsite is at: > http://anandkbhatt.blogspot.com > And the photo site: > www.flickr.com/photos/akbhatt/ > > > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
