Marula

The morula is one of Botswana’s most valued trees – its fruit is made into drinks and jams, and its seeds into cosmetic oil.

The marula is a spreading deciduous tree with a thick trunk and grey bark that flakes off in patches, revealing paler spots. Its pinnate leaves are clustered at the ends of the branches, and in spring it bears small reddish flowers, male and female usually on separate trees. The fruit ripens only after falling to the ground, turning pale yellow; its juicy, sweet-and-sour flesh contains several times more vitamin C than oranges. The hard stones hide edible, oily seeds with a nutty flavour.

Significance in the country

Marula fruit is gathered from January to March, and selling the fruit, beer and seed oil provides extra income for rural families. The trees are often left standing when fields and enclosures are cleared, so in many villages the morula grows right next to people’s homes.

Where it grows

Grows in the east and north of Botswana – in North-East and Central districts (including around Francistown and Serowe), in Kgatleng and South-East, and in the north-western part of the country.

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