marula

marula

The marula marula or (Sclerocarya birrea) (hard skleros, karya nut - a reference to seed) is a medium sized tree, native biome of savannahs of East Africa. It is characterized by a single grayish trunk and a canopy of green leaves and can reach about 10 meters high at low altitudes and open prairies, typical of the savannah. The plant is dioecious (have male flowers and female flowers separated), perennial and its flowers are small, red, issued in early spring.

Because they are dioecious, to occur fruiting, there is need for male and female plants in the same habitat. The fruits are ovoid or globular with a juicy pulp, sweet acidulous and a seed. They are well known for their use in liquor Amarula® brand, produced by fermenting its juice. The distribution of species across Africa followed the migration of the Bantu people, because it was an important item of their diet since the beginning.

• The fruit marula can cause intoxication the animals that eat too much, due to the alcohol that is generated in the ripening process.