Moringa oleifera (Miracle Tree)

Native from northeastern Pakistan to northwestern India, this fast-growing tree grows in seasonally dry tropical habitats. Its branching flower clusters carry fragrant white flowers, followed by long, slender capsules with three prominent angles. The immature pods, known as drumsticks, are cooked in curries; their soft contents are eaten and the tough outer walls discarded. The leaves are cooked like spinach or dried and powdered for soups and sauces. Mature seeds yield an oil used in cooking, perfumery and lubrication. It tolerates drought and repeated pruning, making it useful for hedges and frequent leaf harvests. Photographed in Mompox, Colombia.