# 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. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Bottle Tree, Monkey Bread Tree, Tree of Life ![Baobab](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Baobab_Adansonia_digitata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baobab_Adansonia_digitata.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Family:** Bombacaceae - **Genus:** 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 - **Leaf Dropper:** Baobab can shed its leaves during dry seasons, saving precious water when there's not enough to go around. - **Night Blossom:** Baobab has large, white flowers that open at night, attracting bats to help them spread their pollen. - **Resurrection Power:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/straw-coloured-fruit-bat) (*Eidolon helvum*) — visits flowers for nectar at night - **Eats:** [African Elephant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-baboon) (*Papio cynocephalus*) — eats its nutritious fruit pulp ## Traits - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Night Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/night-blooming): Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 ### What kind of fruit does Baobab produce? Capsule ## Where to spot - [Bioparc Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bioparc-valencia) — Valencian Community, ES · Zoo - [Disney's Animal Kingdom](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/disneys-animal-kingdom) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Palmetum Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palmetum-botanical-garden) — Canarias, ES · Park - [Ocean Expo Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ocean-expo-park) — Okinawa, JP · Park - [Hanbat Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hanbat-arboretum) — KR · Park - [Tokiwa Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tokiwa-park-ube) — Chugoku, JP · Park [View all places to see Baobab](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/baobab) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Baobab: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/baobab)