The Moringa, Phantom or Ghost Tree

•LUISE HOFFMANNA SMOOTH, pale grey to whitish, swollen trunk that may grow in bizarre shapes is the most conspicuous characteristic of this tree. The trunks are very eye-catching against the rocky slopes favoured by these trees.

Names: G. Moringa; A. sprokiesboom, meelsakboom; H. omutindi; D./N. //khaos, !khoe-khanus. The botanical name Moringa is derived from that of the ‘horse-radish tree’ which occurs on the Malabar Coast of India. The specific name ovalifolia refers to the oval shape of the leaves.

Moringa trees occur singly or scattered on dry rocky slopes along the edge of the Namib from southern Angola to the vicinity of Helmeringhausen, reaching as far east as Grootfontein and Wilhelmstal. A few young moringas can be seen close to and east of the B1 just south of Tsumeb. Their white trunks are very obvious on the two dolomite hills neat Halali in Etosha. Situated on a plain, the well-known “Sprokieswoud” or ‘enchanted forest’ west of Okaukuejo is a peculiarity because these trees usually grow on rocky slopes. Another unusual occurrence of moringa trees can be found on the guest farm Moringa west of Okahandja, where these trees grow on a series of seven rocky hills rising unexpectedly out of the surrounding thorn bush savanna. A moringa tree can be seen in the National Botanical Garden at 8 Orban Str in Windhoek.

Moringa trees may reach a height of 6 – 8 m. The smooth succulent trunk is often swollen at the base, and may reach a diameter of 1 m.

The bizarre shapes and small crowns of the moringa trees in the “Sprokieswoud” are the result of elephant damage. The Afrikaans common name “spekboom” or ‘bacon tree’ probably refers to the smooth whitish colour of the trunk, while “meelsakboom” or ‘flour sack tree’ probably has its origin in the swollen base of the trunk commonly found on this tree. Where the trunk has been injured, the tree forms peculiar bulges which, with a little fantasy, may be regarded as faces. This characteristic may have led to the various English and Afrikaans common names.

In areas prone to frost the leaves are shed in winter. New leaves appear in spring. They are twice divided, can reach a length of 60 cm and become 40 cm wide, while the small oval leaflets measure about 4 x 3 cm.

Sweetly scented, small white flowers are borne in very attractive loose sprays just before or together with the new leaves (December – May). In desert areas leaves and flowers may only appear in response to rain and as late as April or May.

Three-sided pod-like, hanging capsules, up to 30 cm long, split open lengthways to release winged, triangular seeds.

Giraffe, elephant, and springbok browse the fruit as well as the leaves. Bark, stem and roots are also eaten by game, e.g. porcupine, and also by small stock as can be observed near Spitzkoppe. The wood is light, spongy and brittle and branches snap easily in a high wind. In remote areas the roots are sometimes eaten in times of food shortage.

Easy to grow from seed, the moringa makes a lovely garden specimen. However, it does not like cold and needs a very well-drained position. Seedlings are obtainable from the nursery at the National Botanical Research Institute.

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