Sclerocarya birrea (Marula)

Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) with small round yellow fruit on tree branches among green foliage
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) branches covered with numerous round yellow fruit and many small green leaves

Botanical name: Sclerocarya birrea

Common name: Marula

Family: Anacardiaceae

Origin: South Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11

Plant type: Fruit or edible
Fruit type: Fruit or edible
Large tree taller than 20 ftPlant form: Large tree
Plant mature sizeMature height: 20 ft or more
Full sunSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Moderate
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; large gardens
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

The marula is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree with an erect trunk and rounded crown. The fruit is edible, eaten either fresh or made into a delicious jelly.


Image gallery: 8 images
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) tree with green leaves and scattered yellow fruit on sandy ground.
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) tree with a thick trunk and many fallen yellow fruits underneath.
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) dark green leaves on branch close up for identification tree plant
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) dense foliage with oval dark green leaves growing on woody branches.
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) brown seeds on a white surface with measurement ruler for scale
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) brown seeds laid out next to a ruler measuring their size range
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) yellow fruit close up resting on a plate
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) yellow fruit on a plate with some opened to show inside
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) yellow fruit on a plate, close up shot of peeled sweet pulp
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) yellow fruit on a plate with one split open to reveal flesh
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) yellow fruit close up spread out on newspaper sheets for drying
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) yellow fruit spread across newspaper pages for processing and seed harvesting
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) with light green round fruit hanging from thick brown tree branches.
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) branches carry many round light green fruit among pinnate leaves on tree.
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) yellow fruit scattered on ground close up
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) yellow fruit collected on the ground.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/sclerocarya_birrea.htm
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