Drumstick Tree
Moringa oleifera
Moringa oleifera, commonly known as the drumstick tree, is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree native to …
Pygmy moringa (Moringa pygmaea)
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Moringa pygmaea (Pygmy Moringa): Somalia's Endemic Dwarf Species
Inhabiting the highly arid, stony soils of northeastern Somalia, this dwarf perennial stands as the smallest known member within the genus Moringa. Discovered relatively recently in 1980, it was long feared extinct until its dramatic rediscovery in 2001. Its tuberous root system allows it to endure prolonged droughts in one of the harshest desert environments on Earth.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Brassicales
- ∟ genus Moringa (Moringa tree of life)
- ∟ species Moringa pygmaea (Pygmy moringa)
Morphology
The physical structure of this species is highly reduced to conserve moisture. Moringa pygmaea features several distinctive botanical characteristics:
- Size: It is a tiny herb, often growing just a few centimeters above the ground.
- Roots: The plant develops a large, fleshy, underground tuber that serves as a vital water storage organ.
- Leaves: The leaves are tripinnate and small, forming a compact rosette at the soil surface.
- Flowers: It bears small, yellow flowers that emerge during brief periods of moisture.
Interesting facts
This species holds the record as the most diminutive member of the family Moringaceae. After its initial collection in 1980, it remained undocumented for over twenty years, leading many researchers to believe it had gone extinct before it was located again in 2001.
Geography of distribution
- Somalia
Sources
See also
Hildebrandt's moringa
Moringa hildebrandtii
An extraordinary water-storing tree endemic to Madagascar, extinct in the wild but preserved through traditional …
Ben tree
Moringa peregrina
Moringa peregrina is a resilient desert tree native to the Red Sea region and Arabian …
tree moringa
Moringa arborea
A rare, drought-resistant tree native to the arid regions of Kenya and Ethiopia, known for …