SEPASAL Database
Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.)Hochst. subsp. caffra (Sond.)Kokwaro [1362] [1880]
Anacardiaceae
SYNONYMS
Commiphora subglauca Engl.
Poupartia caffra (Sond.)H.Perrier
Sclerocarya caffra Sond.
Sclerocarya caffra Sond. var. dentata Engl.
Sclerocarya caffra Sond. var. oblongifoliata Engl.
Sclerocarya schweinfurthiana Schinz
VERNACULAR NAMES
Afrikaans - maroela [1171]; Boran (Kenya) - didissa [1597]; English- jelly plum, maroola nut, cat thorn, morula, cider tree [1171], marula [1171], maroola plum [2082]; Kamba (Kenya) - muua [1597]; Kwangali - ufuongo [1171]; Lovedu - marula [1171]; Maasai (Kenya) - ol-mangwai [1597]; Meru (Kenya) - mura [1597]; Ndebele - iganu [1171], ikanyi [1171], umganu [1171], umkano [1171]; Pedi [fruits] - lerula [1171], marula [1171]; Pedi [tree] - morula [1171], merula [1171]; Pokot (Kenya) - oruluo [1597]; Sebei (Kenya) - katetalum [1597]; Shangaan - nkanyi, inkanyi [1171]; Shona - mutsomo [1171], mukwakwa [1171], mushomo [1171], muganu [1171], mupfura [1171];Shona [fruits] - pfura [1171]; Shona [tree] - mufura [1171], mafuna [1171], marula [1171]; Swahili, Diga (Kenya) - mngongo [1597]; Swati - umganu [1171]; Swazi - umganu; Tonga - tsua [1171], tsula [1171], umganu [1171]; Tswana - morula [1171]; Tugen (Kenya) - tololokwo [1597]; Zulu [fruits]- amaganu [1171]; Zulu [seeds] - umganu [1171]; Zulu [tree] - umganu [1171].
DISTRIBUTION
Native - Zaire (Katanga) [3], Ethiopia, Kenya [3], Tanzania (incl.Zanzibar) [3] [1362], Angola [3],Malawi [3], Mozambique [3] [1171], Zambia [3], Zimbabwe [3],Botswana [1257] [3] [1171] [1669], Cape Province [1669], Caprivi Strip [3], Namibia [1669] [1171] [3], Natal [3] [1171] [1669 Swaziland [1171] [1669], Transvaal [3] [1171] [1669], Madagascar[3].
Introduced - Mauritius, Oman, Tamil Nadu.
DESCRIPTORS
DESCRIPTION
Primary Producer; Terrestrial; Tree [3] [1171]; Perennial; Deciduous; Erect; Dioecious [1597] [1171]. Plant Height 10-15 m [1257]
SOILS
Sandy [1171] [1257], Sandy Loams [1171] [1257]; Well Drained [1257]; Dry.
HABITAT
Hillsides/Slopes [1257]; Woodland [1257] [1362] [3], Wooded Grassland [1362] [3].
Altitude 5-1200 m a.s.l. [1362]
CHEMICAL ANALYSES
Nutritional Analyses - infructescences [1257]; Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - infructescences [510] [1279] [1340]; Unspecified Lipids - infructescences [1340], seeds[1340]; Proteins - seeds [1340]; Tannins - bark [1340], gum/resins [1340].
USES
FOOD
- Infructescences (fruits, raw [510] [1171] [1188] [1257] [1304] [1340] [1597]; fruits, jams/jellies [1257] [1279] [1340]; fruits, beers [1171] [1257] [1279] [1304] [1340 fruits, spirits[1279] [1304] [1340]; fruits, non-alcoholic beverages; potable water; famine food; fruit pulp, jams/jellies [1331]; fruits, wines [1331])
- Seeds (kernels, pseudocereals, porridges [1340]; raw [510] [1171] [1188] [1257] [1279] [1340]; seed oil, oils/fats [1171]; other seed parts, condiments/relishes/chutneys
- 'Roots' (potable water) - Exudates (resin [1188])
FOOD ADDITIVES
- Leaves (herbs [510] [1171] [1340])
- Infructescences (flavourings; preservatives)
- Seeds (seed oil, preservatives [1257])
ANIMAL FOOD
- Bark (game mammals, browse)
- Fertile Plant Parts (seeds, game mammals, concentrates; fruits,cattle [1171] [1257] [1331]; fruits, game mammals [1171] [1257] [1279])
- Aerial Parts (stems, browse; leaves, cattle [1331])
BEE PLANTS (nectar source [1127])
MATERIALS
- Unspecified Materials (seed oil, cosmetics [1279]; bark, beehives; kernels, illuminants [1331]) - Wood (floors; boxes; tool handles; boats/ships; furniture; veneer; joinery; tools; carved wood [1340]; yokes; membranophones [1331] [1340]; plates/bowls [1257] [1340] [1597]; mortars [1340]; toys/games [1340]; ornaments [1257] [1340])
- Tannins/Dyestuffs (bark, dyes, red; gum, inks [1340]; bark, tannins [1340]; gum, tannins [1340]; bark, dyes, brown)
- Lipids (seeds, non-drying oils [1257] [1340]; seeds, soap)
SOCIAL USES
- Unspecified Social Uses (kernels [1331])
- Smoking Materials/Drugs (snuff)
- Antifertility Agents (fruits; seeds, birth control)
- 'Religious' Uses (bark, ritual/religion/magic [1340]; fruits, ritual/religion/magic [1340])
NON-VERTEBRATE POISONS
- Arthropoda (fruits, Insecta, death [1340]; seed oil, Insecta)
MEDICINES
- Circulatory System Disorders (bark, humans, haemorrhoids)
- Digestive System Disorders (bark, humans, laxative; bark, humans, stomach; bark, humans, diarrhoea [1331] [1340]; bark, humans, liver [1597]) [1279] [1340]; bark, humans, fever [1340]; bark, humans, digestive system [1340] [1597]; leaves, humans, venereal diseases (non-specified); bark, humans, malaria [1279] [1340]; fruits,humans, arthropod infestations [1340])
- Inflammation (bark, humans)
- Injuries (leaves, humans, wounds, dressings; leaves, humans,burns, dressings)
- Muscular-Skeletal System Disorders (bark, humans, rheumatism [1597])
- Pain (bark, humans, teeth; bark, humans, analgesic)
- Poisonings (leaves, humans, insect stings)
- Skin/Subcutaneous Cellular Tissue Disorders (bark, humans, antiseptic; bark, humans, warts; leaves, humans, boils, dressings)
ENVIRONMENTAL USES
- Boundaries/Barriers/Supports (live fences [1331])
NOTES
NOMENCLATURE/TAXONOMY
Fox and Norwood Young (1982) separate Sclerocarya schweinfurthiana Schinz as a separate species, it is included in this taxon after Arnold and de Wet (1993) [1171] [1669]
DISTRIBUTION
May be present in Uganda
Throughout south-eastern, eastern and northern Botswana with the highest densities occurring in the moister eastern areas [1257]
DESCRIPTION
Fruits: The size of a small plum and pale yellow when ripe [1340]
FOOD - INFRUCTESCENCES
Fruit pulp, jams/jellies: A jam or jelly made from the fruit pulp is rich in vitamin C and protein [1331]
Fruits, alchoholic beverages: Mukumbi is the Shona name of the wine made from the fruits [1171]
Fruits, beers, spirits: Whole fruit used in Mozambique and Eastern Transvaal for brewing beer and, in some districts, a spirit is distilled from it [1340]
Fruits, beers: Made by stamping the ripe fruit in a 'kika' to remove the nuts and then adding 50% water to the pulp. After 24 hours it is strained and ready to drink but becomes more potent with age. After four days it goes off [1257]
Fruits: Bushmen in Namibia eat the flesh of the fruits [1171]
Fruits: Eaten by Moshaweng Tlokwa of Botswana [1188]
Fruits: Eaten in Malawi (Williamson, 1960, cited in Grivetti, 1981) [1188]
Fruits: May be eaten fresh or dried for later use [1171]
Fruits: The outer skin has a pungent apple-like odour and the flavour resembling litchi, apple, guava and pineapple [1340]
FOOD - SEEDS
Kernel used as food by East African coastal fishermen (Weiss,1979, cited in Grivetti, 1981) [1188] Kernels are considered a great delicacy, despite the hard and thick shell [1304] [2210] Kernels eaten by Gwembe Tonga of Zambia. Available October to November (Scudder, 1971, cited in Grivetti, 1981) [1188]
Kernels, porridges: The Pedi use the ground up kernel for making a porridge [1340]
Nut is eaten by Moshaweng Tlokwa of Botswana [1188]
Other seed parts, condiments: The Pedi use the embryo as a condiment [1340]
FOOD - EXUDATES
Resin: Eaten by Moshaweng Tlokwa of Botswana [1188]
ANIMAL FOOD - AERIAL PARTS
Leaves: Cattle eat fallen leaves [1331]
BEE PLANTS
A bee plant in Botswana. Provides abundant nectar but flowers only 8-10 days in October-December [1127]
MATERIALS
Wood properties, degradation: Warps badly on drying so only useful for rough work [1340]
Wood properties, durability: Liable to attacks by borers [1340]
Wood properties, workability: Light and woolly to saw [1340]
Wood properties: Wood is white, drying to pink [1340]
MATERIALS - UNSPECIFIED MATERIALS
Kernels, illuminants: The kernels burn with a bright flame and are used as a candle substitute [1331]
MATERIALS - WOOD
In Zimbabwe the wood is used for making dishes, mealie stamping mortars, drums, toys and curios and for carving. It is used for similar purposes in the Eastern Transvaal and the Venda make divining bowls and drums from it [1340]
Membranophones: Used for drum-making for use in war and people summoning [1331]
Plates/bowls:
Used to make bowls by the Pokot, Kenya [1597]
MATERIALS - TANNINS/DYESTUFFS
Bark, tannins: Madagascar bark contains 3.5% tannin. Transvaal bark, collected during October before the appearance of the leaf, contains 20.5% tannin [1340]
Gum, tannins: Gum is rich in tannin [1340]
MATERIALS - LIPIDS
Seed oil: Kernel rich in non-drying oil, 53.5-60% [1340]
SOCIAL USES - UNSPECIFIED SOCIAL USES
Kernels: Kernel given as a gift is the greatest mark of friendship; the fruit of the tree is much prized, hence the value of the gift [1331]
SOCIAL USES - 'RELIGIOUS' USES
Bark, ritual/religion/magic: A decoction of the bark is taken internally by some African tribesto remove defilement caused by eating food in the house of relatives where there has been a death without the performance of the necessary purification rites [1340]
Bark, ritual/religion/magic: The Venda administer powdered bark to expectant mothers to regulate the sex of the child, bark from the male tree for a boy, bark from the female tree for a girl [1340]
Bark, ritual/religion/magic: The Zulu and Thonga use a decoction of the bark as a ritual cleansing emetic before marriage [1340]
Fruits, ritual/religion/magic: The fruit juice is used in certain Shangaan and Thonga religious ceremonies [1340]
NON-VERTEBRATE POISONS - ARTHROPODA
Fruits, Insecta, death: Zulus regard the fruits as a potent insecticide [1340]
MEDICINES - DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISORDERS
Bark, diarrhoea: A decoction of the bark is taken in half-pint doses for diarrhoea [1340]
Bark, human, liver: Decoction of the bark is taken by the Pokot, Kenya for a badliver [1597]
MEDICINES - INFECTIONS/INFESTATIONS
Bark, digestive system: A decoction of the bark is taken in half-pint doses for dysentery [1340]
Bark, humans, digestive system:
Decoction of the bark is taken by the Pokot, Kenya for dysentry [1597]
Bark, malaria: A decoction of the bark has been used prophylactically and curatively in malaria. Also taken as a small dose of brandy tincture and as powder [1340]
Fruits, arthropod infestations: Zulus use the fruits for destroying ticks [1340]
MEDICINES - MUSCULAR-SKELETAL SYSTEM DISORDERS
Bark, humans, rheumatism: Decoction of the bark is used by the Pokot, Kenya [1597]
NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Fruits: Have four times as much vitamin C as the average South African orange [1331]
Fruits: Vitamin C content is 54 mg/100 g. Fruit juice contains 2 mg/ml [1340]
CHEMICAL ANALYSES - MISCELLANEOUS
Chemical analysis of fresh marula fruit (Wehmeyer, 1967): Edible portion of marula seed (mg/100 g): Calcium 106; Magnesium 467; Iron 0.42; Sodium 338; Potassium 677; Copper 1.99; Phosphorus 836; Thiamin 0.04; Riboflavin 0.12; Nicotinic acid 0.71.
Marula seed (g/100 g):
Moisture 4.0; Ash 4.2; Protein 30.9; Fat 57.0; Fibre 2.4; Carbohydrate (by difference) 1.5 [2358] Chemical analysis of fresh marula fruit (Wehmeyer, 1967): Edible portion of marula flesh (mg/100 g): Vitamin C 67.9; Calcium 6.2; Magnesium 10.5; Iron 0.1; Sodium trace; Potassium 54.8; Copper 0.04; Phosphorus 8.7; Thiamin 0.03; Riboflavin 0.05; Nicotinic acid 0.25.
Marula flesh (g/100 g): Moisture 91.7; Ash 0.2; Protein 0.5; Fat 0.1; Fibre 0.5; Carbohydrate (by difference) 7.0 [2358] Fruits:
Fruit pulp contains citric and malic acids and a sugar [1340]
Kernels: Contain 60% non-drying oil and also have a high protein content [1331]
Seed oil: Contains up to 28% protein and some iodine [1340]
TEMPERATURE
Occurs mainly in frost-free warm areas [1171]
TOPOGRAPHY/SITES
Frequently on or in association with hills [1257]
SOILS
Various types [3]
VEGETATION
Mixed deciduous woodland and wooded grassland [1362] Open woodland [1257] Woodlands and savannas of several types [3]
FLOWERING/FRUITING/SEED SET
Flowering, Botswana: 8-10 days in October-December [1127]
BREEDING SYSTEM
Usually dioecious [1257]
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
Can be propagated from truncheons [1279]
HARVESTING
January to March or April [1257]
YIELDS
The average yield of fruit per tree for 11 Botswana trees was 36,550 fruit, weighing approximately 550 kg [1257]
SUMMARY EVALUATION/POTENTIAL
Has a wide range of uses and should be considered for large-scale planting [1331]
One of 7 plants in Botswana considered suitable for immediate commercial utilisation, if it occurs in sufficient volume to be harvested without detriment to the local population [1257]
REFERENCES
[3] Flora Zambesiaca 1960-. London: Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations. En. Edited by A.W. Exell et al.
[510] Hardy, D.S. 1986. The Namib, a living sea of sand, part 4. Aloe 23(3): 64-66. En.
[1127] Clauss, B. 1984. Bee forage in Botswana. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Apiculture in Tropical Climates, Nairobi, Kenya, 5-9 November 1984. London, U.K.: International Bee Research Association. Pp. 217-221. En.
[1171] Fox, F.W. and Norwood Young, M.E. 1982. Food from the veld. Edible wild plants of Southern Africa. Johannesburg and Cape Town: Delta. 399p. En.
[1188] Grivetti, L.E. 1981. Perspectives on dietary utilization of wild plants, nutritional status and agricultural development. Fresno, California: International Geographical Union Commission of Rural Development (Symposium). 98p. En. 23-25 April 1981.
[1257] Moss, H. and Taylor, F.W. 1983. Final report on the potential for commercial utilization of veld products. I. Resources and their management. Gaborone, Botswana: Government Printers. (28p). En.
[1279] Palgrave, K.C. 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. Capetown, Johannesburg: C. Struik Publishers. 959p. En.
[1304] Rodin, R.J. 1985. Ethnobotany of the Kwanyama Ovambos. St. Louis, U.S.A.: Missouri Botanic Gardens. 169p. En.
[1331] Storrs, A.E.G. 1982. More about trees: interesting facts and uses of some common Zambian trees, including a selection of honey recipes. Ndola, Zambia: Forest Department. 127p. En.
[1340] Watt, J.M. and Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G. 1962. The medicinal and poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. Edinburgh and London: E. and S. Livingstone. ix, 1457p. En. 2nd ed.
Flora of Tropical East Africa 1952-. London: Crown Agents and Rotterdam: Balkema. En. Edited by W.B. Turrill et al.[1597] Beentje, H.J. 1994. Kenya trees, shrubs and lianas. Nairobi: National Museums of Kenya. ix, 722p. En.
[1669] Arnold, T.H. and de Wet, B.C., eds. 1993. Plants of Southern Africa: names and distribution. Pretoria, South Africa: National Botanical Institute. iv, 825p.
[1880] Kokwaro, J.O. and Gillett, J.B. 1980. Notes on the Anacardiaceae of Eastern Africa. Kew Bull. 34(4): 756. En.
[2082] Mabberley, D.J. 1993. The plant-book. A portable dictionary of the higher plants. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. 707p. En.
[2210] Engelter, C. and Wehmeyer, A.S. 1970. Fatty acid composition of oils of some edible seeds of wild plants. J. Agric. Food. Chem. 18: 25-26. En.
[2358] von Teichman, I. 1983. Notes on the distribution, morphology, importance and uses of the indigenous Anacardiaceae. 2. The importance and uses of Sclerocaya birrea (the marula). Trees in South Africa 35(1&2): 2-7. En.