Mawali au mau (Moringa stenopetala, kutoka Kisomali mawali na mau) ni mti wa jenasi pekee, Moringa, ya familia Moringaceae. Asili ya mti huu ni Afrika ya Mashariki. Hupandwa katika mashamba kwa tungazi huko Konso, Uhabeshi, na hutumika kwa chakula cha watu, kupatia mimea mingine ya mazao kivuli na mitishamba.
Majani
Makala hii kuhusu mmea fulani bado ni mbegu. Mawali au mau (Moringa stenopetala, kutoka Kisomali mawali na mau) ni mti wa jenasi pekee, Moringa, ya familia Moringaceae. Asili ya mti huu ni Afrika ya Mashariki. Hupandwa katika mashamba kwa tungazi huko Konso, Uhabeshi, na hutumika kwa chakula cha watu, kupatia mimea mingine ya mazao kivuli na mitishamba.
ሽፈራው (Moringa stenopetala) ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ የሚገኝ ተክል ነው።
የሞሪንጋ ዛፍ በኢትዮጵያ በተለምዶ ሽፈራው በሚል የሚታወቅ ሲሆን በዓለም አቀፍ ደረጃ ከ13 በላይ ዝርያዎች ያሉትና በሁለገብ ጠቀሜታቸው ከሚታወቁት ዛፎች መካከል አንዱ ነው። በአለም ላይ ካሉት የሞሪንጋ ዛፍ ዝርያዎች ውስጥ ሰባት የሚሆኑት በምስራቅ አፍሪካ በተለይ ደግሞ በኢትዮጵያ፣ በኬንያ፣ በጅቡቲና በሶማሊያ አካባቢዎች ይገኛሉ። ሽፈራው ከሚለው ስያሜ ባሻገር የጎመን ዛፍ ወይም የአፍሪካ ሞሪንጋ- Moringa stenopetala) ተብሎ የሚጠራው ዛፍ በኢትዮጵያ በአብዛኛው በዝቅተኛው የስምጥ ሸለቆ ሀይቅ በደረቃማ እና ከፊል-ደረቃማ በሆኑት የአየር ንብረት ክልሎች ማለትም በደራሳ (ጌዲዎ)፤ ሲዳማ፤ ኮንሶ፤ ኦሞ (ወላይታ) ፤ ምዕራብ ጋሞጎፋ፤ ጊዶሎ፣ ቡርጂ፣ ሴይሴና በመሌ ይገኛል። ከቅርብ ጊዜ ወዲህ በወሎ፤ ሸዋ፤ ሀረርጌና ሲዳማ አካባቢዎች የግብርና ልማትን ከአፈርና ውሃ ጥበቃ ስራዎች ጋር በማቀናጀት ለሰርቶ ማሳያ እየተተከለ መሆኑን ዘገባዎች ይጠቁማሉ። ሞሪንጋ በፎንተኒና (ወሎ)፣ ዴራ (አርሲ) እንዲሁም በዝዋይ መስኖ እርሻ ለነፋስ መከላከያ አጥር በመሆን ጥቅም ላይ እየዋለ ነው። ከዚህ በተጨማሪ በኢትዮጵያ ደቡባዊው የስምጥ ሸለቆ ክፍል በተለይም በከፋ፣ ጋሞ ጎፋና ሲዳማ አካባቢዎች አንፃራዊ በሆነ መልኩ በተሻለ ስርጭት ይገኛል።
ሞሪንጋ በምድር ወገብ ፈጣን ዕድገት አለው። ይህ ዛፍ ከሚሰጣቸው ዘርፈ ብዙ ጠቀሜታዎች መካከል ለምግብነት፣ ለመድሃኒትነት፣ ለውሃ ማጣሪያነት፣ ለእንስሳት መኖነትና ለንብ ቀሰምነት ዋና ዋናዎቹ ናቸው። በደቡብ ክልል የኮንሶ ብሔረሰቦች ለምግብ አገልግሎት ከመጠቀማቸው ባለፈ ከሌሎች ሰብሎች ጋር አሰባጥረው በመትከል ቀጣይነት ባለው የአመራረት ዘይቤ የመሬት ምርትና ምርታማነት እዲጨምር በማድረግ ለበርካታ ዓመታት ሲጠቀሙበት ቆይተዋል። ይህ ዛፍ ቅጠሉ በምግብ ንጥረ ነገር ይዘታቸው ከሚታወቁት ሰብሎች ማለትም ከካሮት (ቫይታሚን ኤ)፣ ከአተር (ፕሮቲን)፣ ከብርቱካን (ቫይታሚን ሲ)፣ ከወተት (ካልሽየም) እና ከቆስጣ (ብረት) ንጥረ ነገሮች ይዘት እንዳሚበልጥ ጥናቶች ያሳያሉ።
በአማራ ብሄራዊ ክልላዊ መንግስት ዝናብ አጠር በሆኑት በዋግኽምራ ዞን (አበርገሌ) እና በሰሜን ሸዋ (እንሳሮ ወረዳ) በተሰሩ የምርምር ስራዎች ሞሪንጋ በአካባቢው መላመድ የሚችልና ውጤታማ ዛፍ መሆኑ ተረጋግጧል፤ በመሆኑም በተመሳሳይ ስነምህዳሮች (አካባቢዎች) እንዲስፋፋ ማድረግ ተገቢ ነው። የተገኘው የምርምር ሙከራ ውጤት እንደሚያመለክተው የሞሪንጋ ዛፍ በበጋ ወራት ቅጠሉን በመጠኑ የሚያረገፍ ነገር ግን ቅርንጫፉ ከተቆረጠ /ከተከረከመ/ ቅጠሉን ከማርገፍ የሚቆጠብና ብዙ ቅጠል የሚያቆጠቁጥ መሆኑ ታይቷል። ዛፉ ደረቃማና ከፊል ደረቃማ በሆኑ አካባቢዎች የሚበቅልና የሚያድግ በመሆኑ የአካባቢ ስነ-ምህዳርን ለመጠበቅና ለምግብነት አገልግሎት ስለሚውል የምግብ ዋስትናን ለማረጋገጥ በሚደረገው ርብርብ አስተዋጽዖው የጎላ ነው። ስለዚህ ከባቢያዊ ችግር ባለባቸውና ድርቅ በሚያጠቃቸው አካባቢዎች ቢለማና መስፋፋት ቢችል ለምግብ ዋስትና ከሚያደርገው አስተዋፅዖ በተጨማሪ ለአካባቢ ጥበቃ ስራ ተመራጭ ዛፍ ያደርገዋል።
የሞሪንጋ ዛፍ ከደረቅ እስከ መጠነኛ እርጥበታማ ስነ-ምህዳሮችና የተለያዩ የማምረት አቅም ባላቸው የአፈር አይነቶች መብቅልና ማደግ ይችላል። ዛፉ ደረቃማ፣ ከፊል ደረቃማ እና ከፊል እርጥበታማ አካባቢዎች የሚያድግ በመሆኑ በቀላሉ መትከል ይቻላል። ይህ ዛፍ ከረግረጋማና ውሃ አዘል ቦታዎች በስተቀር የኮምጣጣነት መጠኑ ከ5-9 በሆነ በማንኛውም የአፈር አይነት እና ሁኔታ፤ ከባህር ወለል በላይ ከ500 - 2100ሜ በሆነ ከፍታ ፤ ከ500-1400 ሚ.ሜ የሆነ የዝናብ መጠንና ከ24-30 ዲግሪ ሴንቲግሬድ ዓመታዊ አማካይ የሙቀት መጠን ይፈልጋል። በአጠቃላይ ተስማሚ የአየር ንብረት ካገኘ የተተከለው ችግኝ ምንም አይነት የመጠውለግ ሁኔታ የማይስተዋልበትና ለአካባቢ ጥበቃ ስራዎችም ከፍተኛ ፋይዳ አለው።
በተለያዩ ክፍለ-ዓለማት የሞሪንጋ ዛፍ (ሽፈራው) የተለያዩ ጥቅሞች አሉት። የሽፈራው ቅጠል በውስጡ የተለያዩ ንጥረ ነገሮችን የያዘ በመሆኑ የምግብ ይዘት አትክልትን መተካት የሚችል ዛፍ እንደሆነ ጥናቶች ያሳያሉ። ስለዚህም የጎመን ዛፍ በመባል ይታወቃል። በቤተሰብ ደረጃ የምግብ ፍጆታን ለማሟላት፣ የገቢ ምንጭን ለማሳደግ፣ የመሬትን ምርትና ምርታማነት ለማሳደግ እና ለተለያዩ የባህላዊ መድሃኒትነት አገልግሎት የሚውል ሁለገብ ጠቀሜታ ያለው የአግሮፎሬስትሪ ዛፍ ነው።
ቅጠሉ በቪታሚን (ኤ፤ ቢ፤ ሲ)፣ በካልሲየምና በብረት የበለፀገ በመሆኑ ለምግብነት ተመራጭ ነው። በደቡብ ኢትዮጵያ የሚገኙ የኮንሶ ብሄረሰብ ዘንድ ተወዳጅ የሆነ የዕለት ተዕለት ምግብ ውስጥ እየተካተተ ለዘመናት የተጠቀሙበት ዛፍ ነው።
የተለያዩ ጥናቶች እንደሚያሳዩት የሽፈራው ቅጠል ከተለያዩ የሰብል ዓይነቶች ጋር በንጥረ ነገር ተወዳዳሪነት አለው። ይህ የሚያሳየው የሽፈራው ዛፍ በሰዎች የእለት ተዕለት አመጋገብ ስርዓት ላይ ጉልህ ሚና መጫወት የሚችል መሆኑን ነው። የሚከተለው ሰንጠረዥ 2 እንደሚያመለክተው ሽፈራው በንጥረ ነገር ከተለያዩ ምግቦች ጋር ሲወዳደር ነው።
አዲስ የተቆረጠ ቅጠል ደርቆ የተፈጨ ቅጠል • ከካሮት ቫይታሚን ኤ በ4 እጥፍ ይበልጣል • በ10 እጥፍ ይበልጣል • ከብርቱካን ቫይታሚን ሲ በ7 እጥፍ ይበልጣል • 1/2ኛ ያህል ይዟል • ከወተት ካልሼም በ4 እጥፍ ይበልጣል • በ17 እጥፍ ይበልጣል • ከሙዝ ፖታሼም በ3 እጥፍ ይበልጣል • በ15 እጥፍ ይበልጣል • ከቆስጣ ብረት 3/4ኛ ያህል ይዟል • በ25 እጥፍ ይበልጣል ሰንጠረዥ ሽፈራው በምግብ ይዘት ከሌሎች ሰብሎች ጋር ሲነጻጸር
ቅጠሉን በተለያየ መልክ በማዘጋጀት መመገብ በውስጡ የሚገኙ በምግብነታቸው የታወቁ ጠቃሚ ንጥረ ነገሮችን በቀላሉ ማግኘት ይቻላል። ለአብነት ያህል እንደ ጎመን በመቀቀልና በመከሸን በእንጀራ ወይም በሳንዱዊች መልኩ በማዘጋጀት መመገብ ይቻላል። የሞሪንጋ ሳምቡሳና የሞሪንጋ ጭማቂ ማዘጋጀት ይቻላል። በተጨማሪም ከሾርባ ጋር ጨምሮ በማዘጋጀትም ሆነ ከእንቁላል ጋር አብሮ በመምታት መጥበስና መመገብ ይቻላል። ለተጠቃሚዎች በተለይም ለአርሶ አደሮችና የሽፈራው /ሞሪንጋ/ ምግብ በማዘጋጀት ለምግብነት እንደሚውል በሰርቶ ማሳያ በምርምር ማዕከላት ተረጋግጧል።
ሞሪንጋ ከምግብነት አገልግሎት ባሻገር ለሻይ መጠቀም ይቻላል። የሞሪንጋን አዲስ የተቆረጠ ቅጠል ወይም ደርቆ የተፈጨውን ዱቄት ለሻይ ማዋል ይቻላል።
ዘር አቃፊ /ፖድ ወይም ቆባ/ በለጋነቱ እንደፎሶሊያ ተቀቅሎ መመገብ የሚቻል ሲሆን በአንድ ዛፍ በአማካይ በዓመት እስከ 70 ኪሎ ግራም ድረስ ምርት ይሰጣል።
ፍሬው ከደረቀ በኋላ ከዘሩ 40 በመቶ የምግብ ዘይት የሚሰጥ ሲሆን ተረፈ ምርቱ ወይም ፋጉሎ ለከብት መኖ ወይም ለውሃ ማጣሪያ ያገለግላል። ፍሬውን በቀጥታ መመገብ ፀረ-ትላትል፣ የጉበት ችግርን፣ የእንቅልፍ ችግርንና የመገጣጠሚያ ቁርጥማትን ማከም እንደሚቻል ጥናቶች ያሳያሉ። በተጨማሪም ከፍተኛ ፕሮቲንና የፋይበር ይዘት ስላለው የተመጣጠነ የምግብ እጥረትንና የተቅማጥ በሽታን ለመከላከል ያስችላል።
ከወንዝ የተቀዳ ንፁህ ያልሆነ (የደፈረሰ) ውሃን ተፈጭቶ በላመ የሽፈራው ዘር ዱቄት በመጨመር በፍጥነትና ቀላል በሆነ ዘዴ ማከም ወይም ማጣራት ይቻላል። የሞሪንጋ ዘር ካታዮን (Cation) የተባሉ በውስጡ የያዘ በመሆኑ የደፈረሰ ውሃን ለማጥራት ይረዳል። ከዘሩ የተገኘ ዱቄት ከውሃው ውስጥ ካሉት ጠጣር ነገሮችኝ በማጣበቅ ወደ ታች እንዲዘቅጡ ያደርጋል። ይህ የማከም ዘዴ ከ90-99% በውሃው ውስጥ ባክቴሪዎችን ለማስዎገድ /ለመግደል/ ያስችላል። የተለያዩ ኬሚካሎችን ለምሳሌ አሉሚኒየም ሰለፌት /Aluminum Sulfate/ የተባሉ ለሰው ልጅ አደገኛና ጎጂ የሆኑ ንጥረ ነገሮች ለማጣራት ይረዳል።
ቅድሚያ የሚሰጠው ለሰው ምግብነት ቢሆንም ፍሬው ከመድረቁ በፊት ለከብት መኖ በመሆን ያገለግላል። የዘይቱ ተረፈ ምርት (ፋጉሎ) ለውሃ ማጣሪያና በፕሮቲን የበለፀገ የከብት መኖ መሆን ይችላል። ቅጠሉም እንዲሁ ለከብት መኖ ያገለግላል።
ከዚህ ባሻገር ዛፉ ለንብ መኖ፣ ለአጥር (Live fence)፣ መድሃኒትነት፣ ለማዳበሪያነት ይውላል፡፡
ይህ ዛፍ አበባ ሰጪ ከሚባሉና መዓዛማ አበባ ከሚሰጡ የዛፍ ዝርያዎች ውስጥ አንዱ ነው። ንብ ማነብ ቀጣይና አዋጭ እንዲሆን ለማድረግ በቋሚ ተክል ልማት መመስረት ቢችል ተመራጭነት አለው። ይህ ተክል በተለያዩ የእንክብካቤና አያያዝ ስልቶች ዓመቱን በሙሉ አረንጓዴና ታዳጊ ማድረግ ስለሚቻል ከፍተኛ የሆነ የአበባ ምርት ይሰጣል። ይህ ደግሞ በንቦች የቀሰም ዕፀዋት እጥረት በሚኖርበት ወቅት ለንቦች ምግባቸውን በማሟላት ][ማር]] ዓመቱን ሙሉ እንዲመረት ይረዳል። ስለዚህም የአርሶ አደሩን ምርትና ምርታማነት በማሳደግ ተጨማሪ የገቢ ምንጭ እንዲፈጥር የሚያስችል ስለሆነ ሁለገብ ጠቀሜታ ካላቸው የጥምር ግብርና (አግሮፎሬስትሪ) ዛፎች እንዲመደብ ያደርገዋል።
ከአበቦቹ የተገኘ ጭማቂ ጡት የምትመግብን ሴት የወተት ጥራትና ፍሰት መጠን ያሻሽላል፤ ከሽንት ጋር ተያይዞ ያሉ ችግሮችን በመፍታት የሽንት መፈጠርን ያበረታታል።
ገርና በቀላሉ ተሰባሪ በመሆኑ ለጣውላና ሌሎች የእንጨት ውጤቶች አገልግሎት የመዋል ውስንነት ይታይበታል።
የሽፈራው ዛፍን በመትከል ህይወት ያለው አጥር በመጠቀም ለንፋስ መከላከያና ለጥላነት ያገለግላል። ይህም በዝዋይና ሌሎች ደረቃማ አካባቢዎች ልምዶች ያሉ በመሆኑ ለንፋስ መከላከያነት መጠቀም ይቻላል። ዛፉ በፍጥነት ስለሚያድግ በአጭር ጊዜ ለጥላ አገልግሎት ሊደርስ ይችላል።
እስካሁን ድረስ በዓለም ዙሪያ የሽፈራው እያንዳንዱ ክፍል ሙሉ በሙሉ በተለያየ መልኩ ለመድሃኒትነት ይውላል። ለምሳሌ የደም ማነስና የጉበት ችግርን ማከም ይችላል።
ዘሩ ለዘይት ከተጨመቀ በኋላ የሚቀረውን ተረፈ ምርት ለከብት መኖ ወይም ኮምፖስት በማዘጋጀት ለማደበሪያነት ሊውል ይችላል።
Moringa stenopetala, commonly known as the African Moringa or cabbage tree, is a deciduous tree in the plant genus Moringa, native to Kenya and Ethiopia.[3] A drought-resistant species, it is characterized by its bottle-shaped trunk, long twisted seed pods, and edible leaves likened to cabbage, from which its common name is derived. M. stenopetala is extirpated in the wild in Ethiopia, though still grown there as a crop on the terraces of the Ethiopian Highlands, mainly in the Konso region.
Like its widely cultivated relative M. oleifera, Moringa stenopetala is a multipurpose tree: the leaves, pods, and flowers are edible and nutritious; the seeds contain an aromatic oil with culinary and cosmetic applications; and the seed press cake or powdered bark can be used for water purification. It is featured in various dishes and has a history of uses in folk medicine throughout its native range.
The species was first described as Donaldsonia stenopetala by botanist Edmund G. Baker in 1896, based on the type specimen collected by Donaldson Smith along the northeastern shore of Lake Turkana.[4] Emilio Chiovenda later described another specimen from Kenya as Moringa streptocarpa. In 1957, Georg Cufodontis identified these specimens to be morphologically similar and designated them as Moringa stenopetala, the officially accepted species name.[5] The specific epithet stenopetala is derived from the Greek words stenos (narrow or straight) and petalum (petal), a reference to the shape of its petals.[6]
Along with at least twelve other species, M. stenopetala belongs to the monotypic genus Moringa, which is the sole representative of the family Moringaceae. Researchers have divided these species into three distinct groups: Moringa with eight, Dysmoringa with one, and Donadsonia with four.[5][7] M. stenopetala belongs to the latter group, along with M. drouhardii and M. hildebrandtii, characterized by winged seeds and (almost) regular flowers with short receptacles and superior ovaries.[5]
M. stenopetala is known under various vernacular names throughout its native regions, including (h)aleko in the Gidole language (Gamo Gofa), shelagda or telchada in the Konso language, and Shiferaw in Amharic. In English, it is most commonly known as the African Moringa or cabbage tree, though these names may be shared with other Moringa species from Africa.[5]
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Moringa stenopetala is a perennial tree with a shrubby, rounded habit,[8] growing to a height of 6–12 m (20–39 ft) in all but the most exceptional cases where it may reach 15 m (49 ft) high.[9][10] Caudiciform or "bottle shaped",[11] the trunk is bloated at the base and habitually forked,[9] with a diameter up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in). The bark is smooth and whitish to light gray or silver, harboring soft wood underneath.[11] The crown is sprawling and heavily branched; younger shoots are characterized by a dense, velvety pubescence.[12]
The leaves are light green when mature,[13] up to 55 cm (22 in) long, and attached alternately to the stem by short petioles.[11] They are bi- or tripinnate in composition, with about five pairs of pinnae and three to nine leaflets on each pinna.[9] Each leaflet is 3.5–6.5 cm (1.4–2.6 in) × 2–3.5 cm (0.8–1.4 in) in size and elliptical to ovate in shape, with an acute tip and a round-to-cuneate base.[11] Stipule-like extrafloral nectaries are typically present at the base of the leaves.[11][14]
M. stenopetala features a busy, aromatic inflorescence, organized as dense panicles up to 60 cm (24 in) long. The individual flowers are bisexual, radially symmetrical, and pentamerous. The calyx is polysepalous and cream colored, sometimes flushed pink, with 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long sepals. The corolla is polypetalous and variably white, pale-yellow or yellow-green; its petals are roughly oblong in shape and 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) in length.[11] Each flower features five stamens with white 4–6.5 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long filaments and yellow 2 mm (0.1 in) long anthers, as well as an indeterminate number of shorter staminodes.[12] The ovary is densely haired and superior, 2 mm (0.1 in) long and ovoid in shape, transitioning to a smooth cylindrical style sans stigmatic lobes.[11]
The fruits comprise 19.7–50 cm (7.8–19.7 in) × 1.8–4 cm (0.7–1.6 in) elongate pods which are initially twisted but gradually straight, sometimes torose (bulbous) around the encapsulated seeds.[12] Young pods are bright green,[15] maturing to a reddish coloration with a grayish bloom.[12] The fruits are dehiscent, splitting open along three prominent valves when mature and releasing up to 20 seeds each.[16] Covered by a cream to brownish husk with three papery wings, the seeds are oblong to triangular, 2.5–3.5 cm (1.0–1.4 in) long and 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) wide,[11] containing a smooth, whitish grey kernel.[16]
Sparsely distributed across the Horn of Africa,[14] Moringa stenopetala is endemic to southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya,[11] and possibly Somalia.[9][17] Extant populations are poorly documented,[14] but have been identified in the wild in at least five localities across the Kenyan Rift Valley[11]—one on Ol Kokwe Island in Lake Baringo and four around the shores of Lake Turkana.[14] Records of wild specimens from other east African countries, including Djibouti, Sudan, and Uganda, have been deemed unreliable. M. stenopetala trees are widely cultivated in southern Ethiopia, where they were likely sourced from a now-extinct population near Lake Chew Bahir.[11] Since modern times, the species has steadily been introduced across tropical Africa: it is found as far west as Senegal and as far south as Malawi.[11]
In the wild, M. stenopetala occurs in various habitats with different bioclimatic conditions and elevations of 400–1,200 m (1,300–3,900 ft).[9][12] Its distribution range is arid to semi-arid, with an average annual rainfall of 500–1,400 mm (20–55 in) and mean temperatures of 24–30 °C (75–86 °F).[9] Often growing near bodies of water,[11] wild trees have been observed in drylands, shrublands, and woodlands,[12] where they may form associations with Acacia tortilis, Delonix elata and Commiphora spp.,[9] as well as in wetlands, often associated with riverside species from Hyphaene, Salvadora and Cadaba.[12] These regions are characterized by rocky or sandy soils,[11][15] with good drainage and neutral to slightly acidic or alkaline soil reaction.[9] The species is, however, known for its ability to subsist on a wide variety of (possibly very harsh) soil conditions;[9][17] mature trees can even improve the fertility of the surrounding topsoil with their tendency to shed considerable amounts of organic matter.[17]
Like its African relatives, M. stenopetala is well adapted to the severe heat and drought that characterize its native landscapes,[15] where, given proper shading, it may survive temperatures up to 48 °C (118 °F).[17] Developing early, the tuberous roots and bloated trunk form a prominent storage organ,[15] which allows the plant to preserve water and thrive in drier climates.[5] Although drought-deciduous, shedding its leaves towards the end of very prolonged dry seasons, it habitually grows as an evergreen under more moderate conditions.[5][18] Light frost is tolerated, although persistent cold temperatures at higher growing elevations may eventually cause the tree to wither down to the base of its trunk, as well as inducing dormancy in seeds.[9][17]
M. stenopetala trees live between 60 and 100 years, often with sustained productivity until the end of their lifespan.[19] It is a quickly developing species; young plants can grow as high as 3 m (10 ft) in their first year and typically reach reproductive maturity after 2.5 years.[11] From there on, the plants often continue to flower and fruit year-round.[17] The flowers emit a sweet fragrance that encourages pollination by birds and insects alike.[15] Mature seeds may be dispersed by either wind or water.[15] The foliage provides nutritious forage for both wild and domesticated ruminants, whereas the flowers serve as an important source of nectar for honeybees.
Moringa stenopetala was planted by agriculturalists on the complex system of terraces built high up in the Ethiopian Highlands, where they became domesticated and were bred to improve productivity, the taste of their leaves, and the size of their seeds. Since then, the improved trees have been introduced into other areas such as the Kenyan Rift Valley.[20]
In present-day Ethiopia, M. stenopetala is mostly known for its importance as a nutritious vegetable food crop in the terraced fields of Konso, where it is cultivated for its leaves and pods.[11] Propagation is easiest from seeds,[5] although plants grown from cuttings may flower and fruit sooner (within several months).[18] Kept moist and in full sun, seeds placed 1–2 cm deep in well-draining soil typically germinate about a week after sowing. Temperatures for optimal growth and production in the Ethiopian Rift Valley range from 15 °C (59 °F) to 33 °C (91 °F), corresponding with elevations of 1,150–1,800 m (3,775–5,900 ft). Collection of the leaves and fruits may start after two years, although traditional farmers usually wait 5 to 6 years before harvesting.[5]
The leaves, seeds, flowers and young pods of M. stenopetala are all edible and commonly feature in dishes across its distribution range. Over 5 million people are estimated to consume M. stenopetala on a regular basis;[11] it is especially favored by various ethnic groups of Ethiopia's SNNP Region.[11][21][22]
Like M. oleifera, the leaves of M. stenopetala make for a nutrient-dense edible green. A nutrition analysis of an Ethiopian sample yielded 28.44 g of protein, 0.7 g of fat, 38.49 g of carbohydrates and 11.62 g of crude fiber per 100 g dry weight, with a mean energy value of 274 kcal (1,146 kJ). Raw leaves are rich in vitamin C (28 mg/100 g), a good source of vitamin A, and comparable to cruciferous vegetables for their significant mineral content (such as calcium, iron and phosphorus).[9][11] Within the Moringa, M. stenopetala leaves are highest in sulfur and remarkably rich in protein.[23] Variables that may affect the nutrient – particularly mineral – compositions of M. stenopetala include the season,[24] growing elevations,[24] and soil type.[21] During the dry season, the average southern Ethiopian adult eats 150 g of fresh leaves per day, providing 19% of their energy and 30% of their protein requirements.[11]
The taste of the leaves ranges from bitter to sweet, may vary per tree, and is described as more pleasant during the dry season. The leaflets are stripped from the rachis and eaten either raw or cooked like cabbage,[11] inspiring the common name "cabbage tree".[25] They may be served with bread as a nutritious addition to many meals.[21][22] In the Konso region of Ethiopia, balls of mixed flours – and sometimes cereals – are typically boiled in salt water and served alongside the leaves.[11] The Siltʼe people use cornmeal as the principal flour, and include onions and chilies to create a dish called kurkufa. In a variation of this preparation, known as fosesae, the cornmeal is first mixed with water to create a doughy consistency, and then cooked with the leaves and spices.[22] Dried, crushed leaves may be added to chegga, a traditional sorghum brew of the Dirashe people.[21]
Because the fruits are slightly bitter, even when young, they are normally prepared only in times when other crops are scarce.[11] The flowers may also be boiled or eaten fresh.[21] The seeds yield an aromatic, edible oil that may be used for cooking or as a dressing for salads.[26]
It is used for shading of Capsicum and Sorghum crops, and as a companion plant.[1] A 2015 survey across Derashe and Konso villages found that most households grow M. stenopetala trees, having done so their entire life; all had consumed the tree as food, many relied on it for income, and some used it for medicinal purposes.[21]
Another use is the clarification and purification of water to make it potable. A powder made by grinding the seeds is found to be more effective at coagulating substances in suspension than the seeds of M. oleifera, which is used for this purpose in India.[27] When powdered, the tree bark has adsorbent properties which may be effective in industrial wastewater treatments.[28]
M. stenopetala has a history of purported applications in folk medicine throughout its native range. The Ilchamus people of Kenya chew or boil the roots for cough relief and strength. Among the Turkana people, those with leprosy drink a decoction of the leaves.[11] The macerated roots and/or leaves are boiled in water and taken as a herbal remedy throughout southern Ethiopia for various conditions, such as malaria, diarrhea, and dysentery.[11][29] The Konso people use the dried leaves to make a tea or herbal extract, which they believe to have a soothing effect on respiratory ailments.[13] Sap extracts from the branches and leaves may be applied externally by the Dirashe people to promote hygiene.[21]
Like its sister species M. oleifera, Moringa stenopetala is under basic research to determine whether it has bioactive properties;[11] its potential effects in humans remain unconfirmed.
The bloated water-storing trunk of a fully grown tree at Koko Crater Botanical Garden on Oahu, Hawaii
Branches with foliage and fruits at Koko Crater Botanical Garden
Open M. stenopetala fruit pod revealing mature seeds inside
Other African moringa species:
{{cite book}}: External link in |series=Moringa stenopetala, commonly known as the African Moringa or cabbage tree, is a deciduous tree in the plant genus Moringa, native to Kenya and Ethiopia. A drought-resistant species, it is characterized by its bottle-shaped trunk, long twisted seed pods, and edible leaves likened to cabbage, from which its common name is derived. M. stenopetala is extirpated in the wild in Ethiopia, though still grown there as a crop on the terraces of the Ethiopian Highlands, mainly in the Konso region.
Like its widely cultivated relative M. oleifera, Moringa stenopetala is a multipurpose tree: the leaves, pods, and flowers are edible and nutritious; the seeds contain an aromatic oil with culinary and cosmetic applications; and the seed press cake or powdered bark can be used for water purification. It is featured in various dishes and has a history of uses in folk medicine throughout its native range.
Moringa stenopetala est une espèce d'arbre de la famille des Moringaceae originaire de la région du lac Baringo au Kenya ainsi que d'Éthiopie.
Toutes les espèces de Moringa produisent un liquide sucré au niveau des feuilles. Celui-ci est particulièrement abondant chez Moringa stenopetala.
Moringa stenopetala est une espèce d'arbre de la famille des Moringaceae originaire de la région du lac Baringo au Kenya ainsi que d'Éthiopie.
Toutes les espèces de Moringa produisent un liquide sucré au niveau des feuilles. Celui-ci est particulièrement abondant chez Moringa stenopetala.
Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod., 1957 è un albero tropicale appartenente alla famiglia Moringaceae, endemico dell'Africa orientale e principalmente presente in Kenya settentrionale ed Etiopia meridionale[1].
Una delle aree principali di coltivazione di Moringa stenopetala è il territorio Konso dove essa è ampiamente coltivata per le sue foglie commestibili. Oltre ad essere coltivata nei terreni in terrazza, è presente anche nei villaggi dove domina la copertura legnosa: le macchie verdi chiaro del suo fogliame segnalano gli insediamenti konso nel paesaggio.
Essa presenta un'ottima resistenza alla siccità e si adatta bene quindi ai territori aridi o semi-aridi. Pianta ideale che potrebbe anche risolvere i problemi di siccità prolungate negli altri paesi ad esempio del corno d'Africa, la Moringa stenopetala, è stata inventariata nell'arca del gusto – slow food[2].
La Moringa si distingue dagli altri alberi del sistema agroforestale konso da suo ruolo rigorosamente alimentare[3]. Le foglie sono vendute sui mercati locali come ortaggio e entrano nella composizione di un piatto consumato giornalmente, chiamato dama: parte molto importante nella dieta locale, la dama è una pallina di cereali (sorgo in generale) arrotolata con foglie di morenga bollite e che può essere consumata in media due a tre volte al giorno[4].
Vivaio di Moringa stenopetala nel Guraghé
Piantata durante la Giornata mondiale dell'ambiente 2012 in Konso
Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod., 1957 è un albero tropicale appartenente alla famiglia Moringaceae, endemico dell'Africa orientale e principalmente presente in Kenya settentrionale ed Etiopia meridionale.
Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod., 1957 é uma árvore tropical pertencente à família Moringaceae, endémica na África Oriental e principalmente presente no norte do Quénia e no sul da Etiópia.[1]
Viveiro de Moringa stenopetala no Guraghé.
Operação de plantação durante a Jornada Mundial do Ambiente de 2012 em Konso.
Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod., 1957 é uma árvore tropical pertencente à família Moringaceae, endémica na África Oriental e principalmente presente no norte do Quénia e no sul da Etiópia.
