Moringa

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iMoringa

Moringa ovalifolia

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Moringaceae
Genus:	Moringa

Species

Moringa arborea
Moringa borziana
Moringa concanensis
Moringa drouhardii
Moringa hildebrandtii
Moringa longituba
Moringa oleifera
Moringa ovalifolia
Moringa peregrina
Moringa pygmaea
Moringa rivae
Moringa ruspoliana
Moringa stenopetala

Moringa is the only genus in the family Moringaceae. This genus comprises 13 species, all of which are trees that grow in tropical and sub-tropical climates. The taxon name moringa comes from the Tamil word murungakkAi.^{[verification needed]} In Gujarati it is called Saragvo.

The most popular variety is Moringa oleifera, a multi-purpose tree originally from Kerala state of India, which is what is commonly referred when the name Moringa is used. This variety is cultivated throughout the tropics. The African variety Moringa stenopetala, is also widely grown, but to a much lesser extent than Moringa oleifera.