You can see a drumstick tree growing in most of the houses in South India. The Drumstick is relished in Sambar by the South Indians.
Another common name is Horse-radish. In Hindi it is known as Munga Soudha, in Telugu it is Mulaga, in Tamil it is Murangakai, and in Kannada it is Nuggekayi. Botanical name is Moringaceae Moringa Oleifera.
Drumstick tree is a fast-growing deciduous tree and lives for 25 years. The trunk of the tree is soft, thick and grey. Leaves are green, feathery and edible.
Flowers bloom in bunches and have a mild fragrance. Each flower has five petals, which are greenish-white and when they open they are lemon yellow.
Fruits are long and thin, like a stick. The outer layer is dark green and thick and inside it is pulpy with seeds. It is very widely used in dishes in South India.
Propagation:
By seeds and cuttings. Grows in all types of soils and conditions in India.
Recipes using Drumstick:
Avial
Huli (Sambar)
