[3] A drought-resistant species, it is characterized by its bottle-shaped trunk, long twisted seed pods, and edible leaves likened to cabbage, from which its common name is derived.

The species was first described as Donaldsonia stenopetala by botanist Edmund G. Baker in 1896, based on the type specimen collected by Donaldson Smith along the northeastern shore of Lake Turkana.

In 1957, Georg Cufodontis identified these specimens to be morphologically similar and designated them as Moringa stenopetala, the officially accepted species name.

[5][7] M. stenopetala belongs to the latter group, along with M. drouhardii and M. hildebrandtii, characterized by winged seeds and (almost) regular flowers with short receptacles and superior ovaries.

[12] The ovary is densely haired and superior, 2 mm (0.1 in) long and ovoid in shape, transitioning to a smooth cylindrical style sans stigmatic lobes.

[16] Sparsely distributed across the Horn of Africa,[14] Moringa stenopetala is endemic to southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya,[11] and possibly Somalia.

[9] The species is, however, known for its ability to subsist on a wide variety of (possibly very harsh) soil conditions;[9][17] mature trees can even improve the fertility of the surrounding topsoil with their tendency to shed considerable amounts of organic matter.

[17] Like its African relatives, M. stenopetala is well adapted to the severe heat and drought that characterize its native landscapes,[15] where, given proper shading, it may survive temperatures up to 48 °C (118 °F).

[17] Developing early, the tuberous roots and bloated trunk form a prominent storage organ,[15] which allows the plant to preserve water and thrive in drier climates.

[5][18] Light frost is tolerated, although persistent cold temperatures at higher growing elevations may eventually cause the tree to wither down to the base of its trunk, as well as inducing dormancy in seeds.

[15] The foliage provides nutritious forage for both wild and domesticated ruminants, whereas the flowers serve as an important source of nectar for honeybees.

[citation needed] Moringa stenopetala was planted by agriculturalists on the complex system of terraces built high up in the Ethiopian Highlands, where they became domesticated and were bred to improve productivity, the taste of their leaves, and the size of their seeds.

[20] In present-day Ethiopia, M. stenopetala is mostly known for its importance as a nutritious vegetable food crop in the terraced fields of Konso, where it is cultivated for its leaves and pods.

Over 5 million people are estimated to consume M. stenopetala on a regular basis;[11] it is especially favored by various ethnic groups of Ethiopia's SNNP Region.

A nutrition analysis of an Ethiopian sample yielded 28.44 g of protein, 0.7 g of fat, 38.49 g of carbohydrates and 11.62 g of crude fiber per 100 g dry weight, with a mean energy value of 274 kcal (1,146 kJ).

[21] During the dry season, the average southern Ethiopian adult eats 150 g of fresh leaves per day, providing 19% of their energy and 30% of their protein requirements.

[21][22] In the Konso region of Ethiopia, balls of mixed flours – and sometimes cereals – are typically boiled in salt water and served alongside the leaves.

[21] Like its sister species M. oleifera, Moringa stenopetala is under basic research to determine whether it has bioactive properties;[11] its potential effects in humans remain unconfirmed.