Moringa oleifera is the most widely cultivated species in the genus Moringa, the only genus in the plant family Moringaceae.

Common names include moringa, drumstick tree (from the long, slender, triangular seed-pods), horseradish tree (from the taste of the roots, which resembles horseradish), and ben oil tree or benzoil tree (from the oil which is derived from the seeds).

M. oleifera is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia. It is widely cultivated for its young seed podsand leaves used as vegetables and for traditionalherbal medicine. It is also used for water purification. M. oleifera is considered to be an aggressive invasive species.