A new record Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) in the Flora of Libya

Abstract

Moringa oleifera Lam. belong the family Moringaceae is introduced and recorded for the first time in the flora of Libya, this record is add a new family as well because the family Moringaceae was not recorded in the flora of Libya. The plants of M. oleifera were seen in petroleum clinic garden in Tripoli in the North West part of Libyan, and Ghat hospital garden in the south-west of the country were seen few trees of Moringa oleifera in both hospitals, these trees were introduced by Indian physicians who were worked at these hospitals in the past, they introduced Moringa tree for its medicinal and nutritional value. This species was also introduced in the last four years and cultivated in many parts of the country for the purpose of nutritional and medicinal value. Morphological description is provided to facilitate further identification of this species and to warrant its future detection as well.