The Baobab is an icon of all Africa as is the flat-topped Acacia. Mbuyu in Swahili and is the tree in my story 'Ndoto ya Grace' Grace's Dream.
The Baobab differs in form throughout Africa but can still be recognized. 'The tree that God planed upside down' because for much of the year the tree is leafless.
It is one of the longest living trees in the world >1000 years! The tree is remarkably drought resistant and the pithy wood holds a lot of moisture - my main picture on the Footsteps NZ - TZ blog is of a Baobab with a hole in it made by elephants searching for water.
Description: I don't really need to describe the tree. A large, deciduous tree with a thick trunk >8m, with the tree reaching >20m in height - thick branches. The tree is bare for as long as 9 months. The bark is smooth and grey, very thick. Leaves - like fat fingers for the name - and lightish green (and usually a long way from the ground). Flowers are large and white, opening at night to attract bats for fertilization - the nectar has an unpleasant fragrance. Fruit are large, hairy and yellow/brown on long stalks - easily seen on the bare tree. There are around 100 seeds lying in a white/pink powdery pulp, which is edible.
Uses: Fodder - the fallen leaves are eaten by browsing animals. Food - the leaves are eaten in some areas and the dry pulp in the seed capsule is cream of tartar - high in calcium and vitamin C. Made into drinks and coating for traditional sweets. Medicine from bark and roots.String and rope is made from fibre within the bark.
Propagation: There are + - 2 500 seeds per kg and propagation is best by seed. Germination rate is sporadic and can even take as long as seven years! Nicking the seed is beneficial and germination may occur within 30 - 50 days.
The tree grows quickly and is both fire and termite resistant.
Seeds are eaten by monkeys - and humans.
We never produced many Baobab trees for outplanting because they take up so much area when they grow. We did produce a few 'for fun' and they are growing well.
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