ANACARDIACEAE
Sclerocarya birrea subsp. afra
Marula
Trees & Shrubs
© Derek Solomon (2012) • RV254 Martial Eagle
© Joël Roerig (2015)
© Joël Roerig (2015)
© Joël Roerig (2015)
Local Context
One of the common trees of the Lowveld and fairly prolific in the Hoedspruit area. It occurs across tropical Africa.Identification
- Growth: Medium to large deciduous tree (up to 15 m) with a massive rounded crown and mottled grey flaking bark.
- Leaves: Divided into 7–21 pairs of oval, smooth leaflets, distinctly paler on the underside.
- Flowers: Separate male and female trees; males in reddish drooping spikes, females in small solitary clusters.
- Fruit: Round, thick-skinned plum (3–4 cm) ripening butter-yellow with tart, juicy white flesh around a hard stone.
- Texture: Smooth and hairless leaves and branchlets.
Did You Know?
The Marula bears fruit with up to eight times the Vitamin C of an orange. Known as the Marriage Tree to the Zulu, it is believed to grant couples lifelong vigour and fertility. This cultural significance extends to Venda folklore, where bark from male or female trees is traditionally used in hopes of predetermining a child’s gender. Archaeological evidence from the Pomongwe Cave in Zimbabwe suggests humans have been eating Marula fruit for over 10,000 years.