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Marula trees are tall, deciduous trees found in southern and eastern Africa. They are dioecious and related to mangoes, pistachios, and cashews. The fruit and seeds are edible and used to produce marula oil, which is highly sought after in cosmetic applications. The bark, leaves, and roots are also used for medicinal purposes.
Marula is the name of a deciduous tree native to southern and eastern Africa. Because marula trees grow in a wide swath of countries, they are known by many names in many different languages. Some of the more common names include maroela, umganu, and jelly plum. Parts of the marula tree are used for medicinal purposes, as well as for their nutritional value.
In general, marula trees are extremely tall, growing up to 59 feet (about 18 m) tall. The foliage tends to form a broad crown, and the bark is mottled with grey. Marula trees are dioecious, meaning they can be either male or female. Unlike other types of trees, they cannot self-fertilize. For pollination to occur, trees of both sexes must be planted in close proximity to each other.
Marula trees belong to the Anacardiaceae family, and are related to mangoes, pistachios, and cashews. Like these plants, parts of the marula are also edible. The tree produces bark, fruit, roots, and seeds that are used in various applications. Folk medicine uses the roots, bark, and leaves of the tree to cure a number of illnesses. The leaves and inner bark are considered helpful in soothing the skin, while the outer bark is used to treat various stomach ailments. The bark can also be used to make dyes, as it produces an attractive pink color.
The fruit and seeds are the most used parts of the tree. Its fruits, which occur prolifically even in nature, are praised for their rich vitamin C content, which can be up to four times that found in an orange. Ripe fruits are light yellow with white flesh, but fall from the tree while still green. The fruits are allowed to ripen on the ground, after which they are harvested. The fruit can be eaten fresh, usually described as having a sour, juicy taste, or it can be squeezed, made into jams or jellies, or used to compose alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
The fruits of the tree have an internal stone, which contains between two and three edible seeds. The seeds are also used to produce marula oil. The oil has a relatively long shelf life, approximately two years, and is highly sought after in cosmetic applications. While the oil is also edible, it is desirable for skin care products due to its high levels of antioxidants and oleic acid. It can be used in aromatherapy, formulating skin care products, or composing massage oils.
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