Moringa
the typical genus of the order Moringaceæ. The fruits are long, whip-like beans. whip-like beans. The root of M. pterytastes like horseradish, and has a pungent odor. The leaves, flowers, and young seed are eaten by the natives of India in their curries. The seeds are the ben nuts which furnish the oil of ben.
The plant is used by the Hindus as a stimulant and as a rubefacient. It is used by Indian calico printers. The bark yields a coarse fiber from which mats, paper, or cordage may be prepared. M. aptera, a native of India, long naturalized in the West Indies, also yields ben oil. The unripe fruits of M. concanensis are eaten by the natives of India in their curries.