The edible fruits and the multiple uses associated with almost
all parts of the marula, make it one of southern Africa's most valued
marula is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree with an erect trunk
and rounded crown. It is one of the plants that played a role in
feeding people in ancient times.
Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees, the flowers
of male plants producing pollen and the female flowers producing
the fruit for which the tree is so well known. These are green on
the tree and turn yellow after falling (Feb-June).
compound leaves tend are mostly crowded at the end of the branches.
Distribution and Habitat
The marula is widespread in Africa from Ethiopia in the north to
KwaZulu-Natal in the south. In South Africa it is more dominant
in the Baphalaborwa area in Limpopo. It occurs naturally in various
types of woodland, on sandy soil or occasionally sandy loam.
The genus name Sclerocarya means 'hard nut' and the species
name birrea is derived from the word birr, the common
name used in Senegal.
Insects pollinate the flowers. Elephants, antelope, giraffe, zebra
and many others browse the leaves. The tree bears a wealth of fruit
for other living organisms, including humans. The larval stage of
the beautiful green African moth Argema mimosae feeds on
Cultural Beliefs and Medicinal Uses
The powdered bark is used to treat pregnant women to determine the
gender of an unborn baby. If a pregnant woman wishes to have a girl,
she will take a preparation from the female plant and for a boy
she will use the male plant. Traditional healers use the hard nut
in their divining dice.
decoction of the bark treats dysentery, diarrhoea, rheumatism and
has a prophylactic effect against malaria. The bark is an excellent
remedy for haemorrhoids. Roots and bark are also used as laxatives.
A drink made from marula leaves is used for the treatment of gonorrhoea.
Sometimes one finds a tree with a wound, probably caused by a traditional
healer or someone who collected material for medicinal use.
In the former homeland of Venda it was a criminal offence to cut
down a living tree of this species. The wood is used for furniture,
panelling, flooring, carvings and household utensils like spoons.
The inner layer of bark makes a strong rope. Drums and yokes for
certain animals are made from the wood of this tree. In Namibia
some people use the wood for sledges. Boats are also made from the
trunk. Red-brown dye can be produced from the fresh skin of the
bark. The gum, which is rich in tannin, is mixed with soot and used
The fruit is edible, eaten either fresh or made into a delicious
jelly. It also makes alcoholic beer known as Mukumbi by the Vhavenda
people. A marula liqueur is available commercially. The white nut
is highly nutritious and is eaten as it is or mixed with vegetables.
Fruit-farming communities prefer planting a couple of these trees
to attract pollinators to their farm in early spring.
Growing Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra
This tree grows easily from seed sown in washed river sand in spring.
It can also grow from a truncheon planted in the early spring. It
is fast-growing, with a growth rate of up to 1.5 m per year.
This tree is very sensitive to frost and grows best in frost-free
areas under warm conditions. If planted in areas where there is
mild or occasional frost, it must be protected at least during the
first few growing seasons. It would be wise to plant it on the northern
side of a building where there is always enough light, for example.
COATES PALGRAVE, K. 1983. Trees of southern Africa, edn 2.
Struik, Cape Town.
VAN WYK, B-E., VAN OUDTSHOORN, B. & GERICKE, N. 1997. Medicinal
plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
VENTER, F. & VENTER, J-A. 1996. Making the most of indigenous
trees. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
Thompson Mutshinyalo & Julius Tshisevhe
Pretoria National Botanical Garden