This is another pachycaulous Madagascan tree but in a completely different family than the Adansonia and the Delonix appearing elsewhere in this offering. The Moringaceae is more closely allied to the mustard family, Brassicaceae, and can have similarly pungent foliage, which in the case of M. oleifera makes a palatable and nourishing potherb, among other uses. M. drouhardii is perhaps better suited for growing in a succulent collection. HBG 93965, plants grown from seeds coll. Dec. 1, 2004, by Röösli & Hoffmann (2104) at St. Augustin, Tulear, Madagascar. $8.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 78 (2), March - April, 2006