Drumstick Tree
Moringa oleifera
Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the drumstick tree, is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree native to …
Phantom tree (Moringa ovalifolia)
Ghost Tree
African Moringa
Moringo
Fairy Tale Tree
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Moringa ovalifolia: The Desert Ghost Tree of Namibia
Standing like pale, eerie sentinels against the scorched, volcanic rocks of the Namib Desert, these bizarre trees evoke a sense of ancient mystery. Known commonly as the ghost tree, Moringa ovalifolia immediately catches the eye with its swollen, water-storing trunk and shimmering silvery bark.
In the famous Etosha National Park, a dense concentration of these plants forms the legendary Fairy Tale Forest, or Sprokieswoud, where they grow in unusual proximity on flat plains. Indigenous San folklore tells that the gods, in a fit of anger, threw Moringa ovalifolia out of heaven, causing them to land upside down with their roots reaching toward the sky.
During the dry winter months, Moringa ovalifolia sheds its leaves completely, entering a state of dormancy to conserve precious moisture. This survival mechanism, combined with its highly succulent stem, allows the species to endure the prolonged droughts of its desert habitat.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Brassicales
- ∟ genus Moringa (Moringa tree of life)
- ∟ species Moringa ovalifolia (Phantom tree)
Morphology
Moringa ovalifolia is a distinctive, deciduous pachycaul tree that typically grows to a height of 2 to 7 meters. Its most prominent feature is the massively swollen, succulent stem, which can reach up to 1 meter in diameter and tapers upward in a bottle-like shape. The branches are also thickened and succulent, rising from the main trunk to support a sparse canopy.
The bark and foliage exhibit several specialized adaptations:
- Bark: The bark is smooth and ranges in color from copper-brown and silver to pale grey or white, with a resinous texture that helps reflect intense solar radiation.
- Roots: The root system is notably fleshy and thick, storing nutrients and moisture underground.
- Leaves: The leaves are alternately arranged, measure 50 to 80 centimeters in length, and are bipinnately compound. Each leaf is divided into 4 to 7 pairs of first-order pinnae, bearing 7 to 9 pairs of opposite, oval-shaped leaflets that are smooth on top and covered with fine hairs on the underside.
The reproductive structures of Moringa ovalifolia are clustered in large, branched panicles:
- Flowers: Small, white, and slightly zygomorphic, measuring about 3 millimeters in diameter, with petal-like sepals and four to five white petals.
- Fruit: Large, three-angled, hanging capsule pods that range from 20 to 40 centimeters in length and mature into a greyish-brown color.
- Seeds: Distinctly brown and three-winged, measuring approximately 1 centimeter, designed to be easily dispersed by desert winds when the capsules split into three valves.
Flowering season
Flowers typically bloom from November to May, followed by fruit ripening through the same period.
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Applications
In extreme desert environments, Moringa ovalifolia serves as an important resource for both humans and wildlife. The San people historically utilized the tree during times of severe drought, tapping the soft, succulent wood of the trunk to extract a bitter but life-saving sap. Additionally, various parts of the tree, including the leaves and pods, are consumed as food by indigenous populations.
The ecological and ornamental value of this tree is also significant:
- Herbivore Browse: Massive desert herbivores like elephants and giraffes, as well as springboks, feed on the foliage and fruits.
- Bark Consumption: Porcupines and smaller livestock chew on the soft wood and fleshy bark for sustenance.
- Horticultural Use: In arid and semi-arid regions, the tree is cultivated in rockeries and xeriscape gardens for its striking, bottle-shaped silhouette.
Interesting facts
The bizarre growth habit of Moringa ovalifolia has earned it several evocative common names, including the Ghost Tree and Phantom Tree. This is because its pale, silvery-white trunk stands out dramatically against the dark volcanic hills, appearing almost luminous in the desert moonlight. In Namibia, the tree enjoys strict legal protection under nature conservation laws to prevent over-exploitation and habitat loss.
The most famous grouping of these trees is located within Etosha National Park:
- The Fairy Tale Forest: Known in Afrikaans as the Sprokieswoud, this unique area features a dense, woodland-like concentration of Moringa ovalifolia on a flat clay plain, which is highly unusual for a species that typically grows scattered on rocky slopes.
- San Legend: According to local folklore, the trees were flung out of heaven by angry gods and landed upside down, which explains their swollen bases and root-like branches pointing toward the sky.
- Water Storage: The wood is incredibly soft and spongy, acting as an efficient water reservoir that enables the tree to survive months of complete drought.
Geography of distribution
- Namibia
- Angola
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- World Flora Online (WFO).
- Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden.
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
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