Marula or King's nut, Sclerocarya birrea subsp. Caffra, is a medium to large-sized, up to 20m tall, deciduous fruit bearing tree,. With an upright trunk and rounded shaped crown that grows wild in northerly South Africa. It's one of those plants that have greatly contributed in feeding people since ancient times. It is a member of the family Anacardiaceae, genus Sclerocarya.

The multiple usages associated with just about all parts of the marula, make it one of southerly Africa's most valuable trees.

The compound leaves are largely crowded together at the end of the branches. they are dark green above and lighter, blue-green below. leaves are used cooked as relish. Male and female flowers are borne on individual trees, the flowers of male plants producing pollen and the female flowers producing plum-sized fruit for which the tree is so long-familiar.

The edible fruit is firstly green then turning yellow after falling. The fruit falls off the tree and ripens on the ground. Developed improved clones produce fruit up to 100 g in weight and with assortment of skin colors. The fruit flesh is succulent and fragrant and is consumed fresh or processed; yielding delicious jellies, jams and juices.

The fruit flesh also provides as a significant source of vitamin C for the rural people. The skin can be boiled to make a drink or burnt to be employed as a replacement for coffee. Inside the stone is a little, tasty, white nut, highly nutritious that is consumed as it is or blended with vegetables.

Marula fruit is as well used to create an alcoholic beer known as Mukumbi. A marula liqueur, "Amarula Cream", the world's 2nd most widely sold liqueur, is also accessible commercially. On an average a mature Marula fruit tree will produce between 5000 and 90000 fruits.

Propagation of the fruit tree is more often than not by seed, planted in rinsed river sand in springtime. It is fast-growing, with a development rate of up to 1.5 m per year. Marula is really tender to frost and grows best in frost-free regions. If planted in regions where there is modest or infrequent frost, it is essential to be sheltered at least on the first few growing seasons.

Marula, King's nut, Sclerocarya birrea subsp. Caffra

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The key to successful fruit and nut production is the provision of a beneficial environment for the trees that bear them.