This dazzling species is a conspicuous component of the deciduous forests along Madagascar’s southwestern coast, especially on limestone slopes in association with succulent Euphorbias. It forms trees to 10 (-18) m tall with a swollen, white trunk to 2 m in diameter and a compact crown of short sinuous branches.
The small, creamy yellow flowers are arranged in dense inflorescences.
In cultivation, the species grows exceptionally fast, reaching a height of three meters and more within a year. It is often planted around traditional tombs and in villages.
In other parts of the world, Moringas are viewed as useful food plants, supplying edible leaves, young seedpods, and a first-class seed oil, but this does not seem to be the case in Madagascar.
On the other hand, just like other Moringas, M. drouhardii is used medicinally. (One of the pictures below shows holes in the trunk where people have removed bark and wood to treat coughs and colds).
