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The genus Moringa consists of 9 species. The only endemic southern African species, Moringa ovalifolia, is an inhabitant of northern Namibia and south-western Angola. This species is a smooth-stemmed, stem-succulent tree growing up to 7 metres tall. This species is very common on the many granitic and dolomitic hills of northern Namibia.Unlike the regular, smooth-stemmed trees of this species which occur naturally on rocky hillsides, those of the Ghost Tree Forest (or Sprokieswoud = Fairytale Forest in Afrikaans) in the central Etosha National Park, some 32 kilometres west of Okaukuejo, are grotesquely gnarled and misshapen. This curious micro-habitat measuring some 2 km x 2 km is found on the level plains of sweet grasslands on limestone. There is no other known similar occurrence where these trees are congregated on the plains in such large numbers as at this place.Regrettably these trees are enjoyed by the many elephants of the Park and many have been destroyed