The genus Moringa consists of 9 species. These are found in southern Africa, north-eastern Africa, Madagascar and India. The only endemic southern African species, Moringa ovalifolia,
is an inhabitant of northern Namibia and south-western Angola. This species is a smooth-stemmed, stem-succulent tree growing up to 7 metres tall. This species is very common on the many
granitic and dolomitic hills of northern Namibia.
The species M. oleifera Lam. has been introduced to the western parts of southern Africa from India and is well established in eastern Zimbabwe. In South Africa it is encountered in the
Northern Province and KwaZulu-Natal, where it is highly prized for its edible leaves and horse-radish-flavoured roots.
Unlike the regular, smooth-stemmed trees of this species which occur naturally on rocky hillsides, those of the Ghost Tree Forest (or Sprokieswoud = Fairytale Forest in Afrikaans) in
the central Etosha National Park, some 32 kilometres west of Okaukuejo, are grotesquely gnarled and misshapen. This curious micro-habitat measuring some 2 km x 2 km is found on the level plains of sweet grasslands on limestone. There is no other known similar occurrence where these trees are congregated on the plains in such large numbers as at this place.
Regrettably these trees are enjoyed by the many elephants of the Park and many have been destroyed. In the background of the photograph will be seen a fence which encloses a
large number of the trees to protect them from the ravages of the pachyderms.
The photograph was taken in mid-February after a particularly wet season and the trees were sprouting a crop of fresh green leaves and were very attractive against the cloudy sky.
(Photograph: Robin Frandsen)
