Moringa is the only genus present in the monotypic family Moringaceae, which includes 13 species. The most common of these species is M. oleifera Lam, a tree that grows across the tropical zone. It is native to a range that spans from Angola to Namibia and Egypt to Kenya, as well as Madagascar, the Indian subcontinent, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Moringa oleifera is a rapidly growing herbaceous tree with a trunk diameter of 20-60 cm and a height of 7-12 m. It has spreading, delicate branches, feathery foliage with tripinnate leaves, and whitish-gray bark . Major plant parts encompass the leaves, stem, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, and bark.