Moringa oleifera PKM2 | 5_Seeds

This is Moringa oleifera, also known as Moringa, Drumstick Tree, Horseradish Tree, Ben Oil Tree, and Benzoil Tree. These wonderful fragrant flowers bloom from late Spring until early Summer. This tree likes to live in the full sun where it can grow to about 40 feet high at most. The young seed pods and the leaves are used as vegetables. Surprisingly this fast growing tree can be grown as an annual and the seed pods in the first year are edible while the seed pods in the second year are bitter and inedible. Oil can be obtained from the seeds. This oil is used as a food product, in cosmetics, and for hair and skin. It has edible roots, seeds, flowers, and pods. It is rich in potassium, iron, calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. The leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked and contains 18 amino acids including the 9 essential amino acids. The roots taste a little bit like horseradish, hence the name horseradish tree. This plant is amazingly drought resistant. PKM-2 is an improvement over PKM-1. PKM-2 improves lateral branching which is desirable when harvesting and has more flesh than seeds. The new variety PKM-2 produces 50 inch long pods which are about 3 inches thick. These pods are great for cooking. They are the most delicious of the moringa. USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11