Actual and Potential Applications of Moringa stenopetala, Underutilized Indigenous Vegetable of Southern Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

Moringa stenopetala, locally called Haleko, is an indigenous vegetable tree native to southern Ethiopia and grown mainly for its food value. It is a drought tolerant and fast growing tree that has high nutritional value and the potential to alleviate malnutrition in the tropics. Millions of people in southern Ethiopia consume its leaves as a staple vegetable. It also has potential medicinal and industrial applications and significant economic contributions. Despite its actual and potential roles, M. stenopetala has been given little research and development attention. This paper reports actual and potential uses of Moringa stenopetala and highlights research gaps that need to be addressed in the future.