Sclerocarya birrea aka Marula

Sclerocarya birrea, or marula, is a deciduous African tree. It belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. Its range spans dry parts of tropical Africa. It extends from West Africa east to Ethiopia and Tanzania. Useful Tropical Plants reports a wider range reaching southern Africa and Madagascar. It grows in savannah, wooded grassland, bushland and riverine woods. It also occurs on rocky hills.

Marula has a short trunk and large branches. These support a light, rounded crown. Garden height and spread reach about 43 feet [13 metres]. Exceptional trees can reach 66 feet [20 metres] tall. The trunk can exceed 2.6 feet [0.8 metres] across. The tree sheds its leaves during part of the year. Sources differ on growth, describing it as moderate or fast. Moths pollinate its flowers, and the tree is not self-fertile.

The pale yellow fruit has a tough, leathery skin. Each fruit can reach about 1.5 inches long. Ripe flesh has a slippery texture and sweet-sour taste. People eat it fresh or cook it. They also turn the pulp into jam, wine and syrup. The fruit supplies vitamin C, and the seeds are edible. Both fruits and seeds reach local markets. People harvest wild trees and plant them near villages.

Grow marula in full sun with good soil drainage. It accepts sandy, loamy and clay soils. It can grow in poor ground that supports few crops. Acid to neutral soils suit it, and it tolerates salt. Established trees cope with drought and need little care. Warm sites without frost offer the best conditions. Some trees withstand brief drops below freezing. PFAF places it in USDA zones 10–12. A clear dry season forms part of its native climate.

Marula provides shade and serves as a windbreak. It also attracts wildlife. Its bark supplies fibre for rope, tannins and dyes. Gum from injured bark can form an ingredient in ink. Seed oil has uses in skin care. Traditional medicine uses the bark for pain and inflammation. These recorded uses do not establish safe or effective treatments. The supplied sources report no known hazards. They give no specific pest or disease problems. Hard seed shells can delay germination. Attempts to crack them can damage the fragile seeds inside.