Where they are found The marula tree can be found in South Africa in Mpumalanga’s Lowveld and the Kruger National Park. Or even more idyllically, enjoy it on a ‘safari drives’ with the elephants. Fruit of the Marula Tree (Scelerocarya birrea). Of course, the picture of drunk wild animals staggering about and behaving uncharacteristically (but very recognisably for those of us who have enjoyed a bit too much) is very funny. Only the female tree can bear fruit. marula tree stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images As it is women who are the creators of this wonderous beer, they are also the main benefactors. Marula is a medium to large tree, usually 9 metres tall, but can grow up to 18 metres. Also, animals spread the scope of this tree by eating the tasty fruits and then defecating the seeds. Marula trees belong to the family Anacardiaceae, and are related to mangoes, pistachios, and cashews. (Plus More Interesting Info), The Benefits and Uses of the Marula Fruit, Cheetah vs Leopard(Battle Of The Big Cats), Fascinating Elephant Sounds And What They Mean, Victoria Falls in July | The Best Victoria Falls Tours for 2020/2021. Amarula (and more recently, one or two lesser known brands) is a cream based Marula liqueur, similar to the popular Irish brand, Bailey’s. Marula wood has been traditionally used for carving pestles and mortars, bowls, drums, beehives and stools and even canoes in some areas. The nutritious little fruit is the size of a small plum, but it packs a punch. About 6% of all flowering plants have this characteristic. Many parts of the tree are used in traditional medicinal remedies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Whether or not the Marula holds entertainment value in getting animals drunk, we are still a big fan of this little fruit. The fermented fruit might not inebriate animals like we thought , but it is used not only to make traditional beer, but also to create a delicious liqueur for humans. It is single-stemmed with a dense, spreading crown and deciduous foliage. Essence from the leaves is said to provide a remedy for abscesses, spider bites and burns. The tree produces bark, fruit, roots, and seeds that are used in a number of applications. Even the green leaves are eaten to relieve heartburn. Clearly, this is no ordinary grocery store classic. The second day’s beer is Neshana, and it’s alcohol percentage is higher, while the taste is less sweet, more sour. It is also cooked and used to produce juices, jams and alcoholic drinks. We’ll explore the many reasons why this is such an important and beloved fruit in Africa, and why the rest of the world should adopt it as their own. And long before Amarula Cream became one of South Africa’s best exports, rural women were making “buganu”. Fascinatingly enough, only the female trees bears fruits, while the male tree displays flower. A decent consolation prize, we think. Wonderful fertilizer to start out a seed’s chances at life. The tree is indigenous to Southern Africa. It was spread further into West Africa and Madagascar by bantu tribes. marula, the forbidden fruit of the elephant tree To introduce you to Marula Gin, we’ll take you on a trip to Namibia and the Miombo woodlands of Southern Africa. It is native to many African countries including South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Botswana, Gambia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and a few more. The fruit is harvested off of their communal land by members of the community. It will reach this size in about 30 years. It is a deciduous tree belonging to the same family as cashew, mango and pistachio. The tall marula tree bears up to 500 kilograms of fruit annually. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees, the flowers of male plants producing pollen and the female flowers producing the fruit for which the tree is so well known. The skin of the marula fruit is incredibly high in vitamin C, at eight times more than an orange. The Marula tree grows in South Africa. Marula tree in the savannah Tall marula tree in the African savannah under blue skies. The fruit from the Marula tree taste like a caramel flavored alcohol that the wild animals love to eat.You can buy distilled Marula Tree liqueur (17% alcohol) from a … It may be eaten fresh and the flesh has an extremely high vitamin C content. Look no further. Interestingly, Marula trees are gendered. Le fruit du marula est mangé par de nombreux animaux dans le sud de l'Afrique. Marula trees (Sclerocarya birrea is their scientific name) are widespread across Southern Africa. The Marula bears small round shaped fruit; (green in colour when unripe) that ripens to a yellow colour and can be harvested by being collected from the ground from January to March. These fruits have a socio-economic importance to many people groups, from Kwazulu-Natal to Ethiopia. The Marula tree is then able to stay healthy through the ways that it has adapted and evolved to survive. In fact, it is believed by some to increase the male sex drive. Marula beer is very popular in rural Southern African populations. It is then stored for processing throughout the year and used for various purposes, including other alcoholic drinks, and cosmetics. The making of this beer is a much appreciated skill set, and each batch can taste different, depending on which trees it was harvested from, the age (in days, not years), and the technique of the woman who makes it. Marula season is a time of festivity … The nut in the centre is also high in protein. Preliminary tests show weak pharmalogical activity relative to hypertension, anti-inflammation and painkilling. The scientific name of the Marula fruit tree is Sclerocarya Birrea. For years the tree’s fruit has been used to … It then ferments on the ground for a while before being eaten by wild animals, like elephants, giraffes, baboons and warthogs. Fruit is very juicy and aromatic and is the size of a small plum. We estimate that this is a typical size and shape that one can expect a Marula tree to achieve in a garden setting with ideal soil and water availability. Reason enough for some! The nutritious little fruit is the size of a small plum, but it packs a punch. It has the lowest alcohol percentage, and it is sweet and tasty. Marula is a medium to large tree, usually 9 metres tall, but can grow up to 18 metres. The Marula fruit has a number of unusual traits and uses. CURIOSITY. The liqueur Amarula is made from the marula fruit. The footage showed elephants and various other animals gorging themselves on the fruit at the foot of a Marula tree. The tree grows well between 769 to 921m in elevation, and occurs in semi-arid to sub humid portions of Africa. The marula tree is one of Namibia’s most versatile and thus important indigenous trees. Also, the fruit is a great source of vitamins, minerals and protein for human beings and animals alike. The Marula fruit is a good source of income for struggling rural communities, beyond the beer. It allows the Marula tree to reduce harmful mutations. The marula is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree with an erect trunk and rounded crown. The bark of the tree has medicinal properties and is used widely in treating dysentery and diarrhoea, rheumatism, insect bites and a variety of other ailments. All About the Marula Fruit. Marula Tree Fruit. Also, the other animals that favor this fruit generally eat it fresh and ripe off the branches, instead of rotting on the ground. African Animals Getting Drunk From Ripe Marula Fruit - YouTube The Marula tree has a long history with Africa and Africans, dating as far back as 10,000 BC. You’ll find them in miombo woodland areas, the most famous of which is the Greater Kruger, one of Africa’s ultimate safari destinations. There are male and female trees, each with their own type of flowers. During colonial times it was even used for tomato boxes and toilet seats. The animals then proceed to stagger and behave like drunkards. It is one of the plants that played a role in feeding people in ancient times. This means that they cannot self-fertilize, they have to be fertilized by the pollen of the opposite gender. So perhaps we all want to believe this tale of debauchery . They took the fruit with them when they migrated, because it is such a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Needless to say, this special tree has deep roots in the continent and not only features in countless African fables, but its fruit also offers a range of uses that go beyond it simply providing a tasty snack. This vast area is home to the Sclerocarya Birrea, also known as the marula tree. It also has wide-spread branches, and the fruits ripen between December and March, the summer months of Southern Africa. The marula fruit tree (Sclerocarya birrea) is native to parts of southern Africa.The trees grow wild and were once rare, but are now cultivated. The size of the Marula tree icon, when measured against a 1.8m tall person, is about 10m high and 12m diameter. The marula fruit, which ripens from January to March, is the size of a small plum, and has 4 times more Vitamin C than an orange. The fruit of the marula tree is very popular and sought after. Marula is a medium sized tree belonging to the Brachystegia genus. Introduction of Marula Fruit Scientific name - Sclerocarya birrea Sclerocarya birrea, commonly known as the Marula is a medium-sized dioecious tree, native to the Miombo woodlands of Southern Africa, the Sudano-Sahelian range of West Africa, and Madagascar. The story of elephants eating marula fruit, and getting absolutely hammered, was first heard in the early 1800s however, this theory has sadly since been put to rest – sorry if you were hoping to catch an elephant in a drunken daze. So if you’ve ever wondered what the animals are after, give it a go. The fruit and bark of the tree has many popular uses, including medicinal uses.. Well, you might be astounded to know that in Swaziland alone, there are about 2 million Marula Trees and, on average, a mature tree can produce up to 500kg of fruit a year. The Marula tree grows up to 18m (59 feet) tall. It is single-stemmed with a dense, spreading crown and deciduous foliage. The marula is an erect tree that reaches heights of 15 m. Male and female flowers occur separately, and although they are usually on separate trees, this is not always so. Marula fruit comes from medium sized tree that belongs to Brachystegia genus. However, the tale is unfortunately untrue. Marula fruit is incredibly high in vitamin C, containing eight times more of it than an orange. The fruit form varies from almost spherical to oval with a tough, strong skin, which is light yellow when ripe. They are edible and are very high in vitamin C (levels up to four times higher than an orange). The tree is protected in South Africa. Not only does it feature in countless African fables, but its fruit also offers a range of uses that go beyond it simply providing a tasty snack – truly one of Africa’ botanical treasures. It is high in vitamin C and can be eaten fresh. The fruit has different color, as they are in … It is characterized by a grey mottled bark. Because the Marula fruit ferments so quickly, there are three different kinds of Marula beer, each made a day apart to get different alcohol percentages and tastes. Unfortunately, none of this is true, as the producers of this documentary actually soaked the fruit in alcohol before filming, causing the animals to get drunk and behave abnormally. The tree bears its fruit from January through to March and bears approximately 500kg of fruit every year. South African’s also call it, the Elephant Tree or Marriage Tree. Not only the fruit, but also the nut, are rich in minerals and vitamins. jams, juice, flavoured water, sweets, essential oils, traditional beer and world exported beverages such as Amarula Cream) which are readily available in the market. Dans le film de Jamie Uys Animals Are Beautiful People (en) , sorti en 1974, des scènes montrent des éléphants, des autruches, des phacochères et des singes saouls après avoir consommé des fruits fermentés. A 3-day ... 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This tree is mainly found in Miombo Woodlands in different regions of Africa. It is, of course, the strongest, and only for the brave. While the fruit does indeed ferment quickly, the elephants would need to eat a huge amount of the fermented Marulas, and it’s unlikely that they ever do this. The marula tree produces the legendary marula fruit which is used to make liquor and is also enjoyed by many African animals including elephants. Fruit Trees > Subtropical Fruit Trees > Marula. Marula tree plant it in the spring need female and male to bear fruit, doesn’t need a lot of water, grow fast and need full sun. The scientific name of the Marula fruit tree is Sclerocarya Birrea. The Marula Tree. There is a very entertaining bit of folklore based on the Marula fruit. Giraffes, warthogs, elephants, kudus, and waterbucks all enjoy the leaves and fruit of the tree. Looking for a quick escape from the bustling streets of Johannesburg? The marula tree, along with the delicious marula fruit it bears, has a long history with Africa, one that dates as far back as 10,000 BC. The marula tree is indigenous to the miombo woodlands of southern Africa. It is certainly a South African favorite for a reason. The tree is usually found in Miombo Woodlands in different regions of Africa, while its fruit is being used for “Amarula Cream Liqueur” and several alcoholic beverages. Most well known for its fruits that ‘drive elephants mad’ when dropped to the ground and lightly fermented, marula is a much-loved tree in the veld in Africa. The fruit flesh is soft, whitish, and contains fibers. Jamie Uys made the story popular (originally stemming from Zulu folklore) in his 1974 documentary “Beautiful People”. 4. The Marula tree is also known as: • The king of African trees because it is resistant to drought and every part has been used by indigenous people for thousands of years. These days, planning a trip is relatively simple. Marula fruit ripens from January to April when the ripe fruit falls to the ground. There is even legend that a woman can take bark from the male or female tree. It is delicious eaten fresh, or may be cooked to produce jams, juices, or alcoholic beverages. The skin of the marula fruit is incredibly high in vitamin C, at eight times more than an orange. Most well known as the fruit that 'drives elephants mad' when dropped to the ground and lightly fermented, marula is a much-loved tree in the veld in Africa. Folk medicine uses the roots, bark, and leaves of the tree to cure a number of illnesses. The third and final day’s beer is called Lutanda. Marula fruit are normally processed and conserved into various product forms (e.g. In 1951, the Controller of Timber in South Africa passed Proclamation 257 declaring S. While the fruit is prolific and the tree widely available, all efforts are made to ensure that the product we bring to you is environmentally friendly and. The fruit are collected, washed and cut open and the nut removed. Marula beer is one of the favorite benefits of this tart fruit. The green marula fruit is the size of a small plum, and very juicy and flavourful. The fruit is cooked until the water changes colour and is then removed. It is then delivered to processing plants where everything, including the fruit pulp, pips, kernels and kernel oil are extracted from the fruit. The first day’s Marula beer is called Tuvhu. Legends abound on the multiple uses of the tree, the bark, the leaves, fruit, nut and kernels. A mature tree can yield up to 500kg of fruit in a year. 3. It may also be cooked to produce jam, juices and alcoholic beverages. It also has 2 small very tasty high protein nuts. Popularly known as the fruit that gets elephants and humans drunk, we can see why it would be a fan favorite.