Moringa

*Moringa oleifera*

How to know it

A slender fast growing tree with a soft trunk and small round leaflets arranged in threes along thin stems. Long thin seed pods hang down like drumsticks. It looks flimsy and grows extremely fast.

What it does

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable and are notably rich in protein, iron and vitamins, which is why it is planted widely in nutrition programmes. The pods are cooked as a vegetable. The seeds can clarify muddy water, which is a genuinely useful property.

Safety

Leaves and pods are safe cooked. The bark and roots contain compounds that are not suitable for children and should not be used. Stick to the leaves.

Two things to do with children

Take a cutting the thickness of a broom handle, push it into damp ground, and wait. It roots readily. Growing a tree from a stick is a good demonstration of what a cutting is.

Crush seeds into a jar of muddy water, stir, and leave it to stand. The water clears noticeably. It is one of the most satisfying demonstrations in this whole guide.