Baobab

Adansonia

Baobabs are unique trees with thick trunks that can store water. They are found in hot, dry regions and have beautiful white flowers that bloom at night.

Habitat: Desert

Appearance

The Baobab has a massively swollen, bottle-shaped trunk with smooth, grey bark, supporting a sparse crown of short, stubby branches. Its unique silhouette often makes it look like it's growing upside down, with roots reaching skyward, especially when leafless.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaFamilyBombacaceaeGenusBaobab

Photo: Muhammad Mahdi KarimGFDL 1.2 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Baobab

Interesting facts

Baobab fruit, called 'monkey bread,' has more Vitamin C than oranges!

Its tough bark is used to make ropes, baskets, paper, and even waterproof cloth.

Many cultures call Baobab the 'Tree of Life,' believing it has magical powers.

People have built pubs, shops, and even prisons inside giant baobab trunks!

Special abilities

Baobab can shed its leaves during dry seasons, saving precious water when there's not enough to go around.

Baobab has large, white flowers that open at night, attracting bats to help them spread their pollen.

Baobab can regrow from damaged parts, even after being badly scarred by elephants or fire.

Measurements & details

Height: 5-30 m
Spread: 10-30 m
Edible: Yes
Size: 500-1500 cm
Lifespan: 500-2000 years
Fruit Type: Capsule
Growth Rate: Slow
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Straw-coloured Fruit Bat

Eidolon helvum

visits flowers for nectar at night

Eats

African Elephant

Loxodonta africana

strips bark and eats leaves/fruit

Shelter

Ring-necked Dove

Streptopelia capicola

nests in branches or hollows

Depends on

Yellow Baboon

Papio cynocephalus

eats its nutritious fruit pulp

Traits

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Fruit Bearing

Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.

Night Blooming

Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance.

Drought Tolerant

Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.

Desert

Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.

Ancient Lineage

This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

Giant

Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.

Also known as

Bottle TreeMonkey Bread TreeTree of Life

Collections

Trees

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Avoid climbing or playing near baobab trees to stay safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Baobab?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Baobab?

5-30 m

How wide does Baobab spread?

10-30 m

Is Baobab edible?

Yes

How big is Baobab?

500-1500 cm

How long does Baobab live?

500-2000 years

Where is Baobab usually found?

Desert