The Baobab Tree

The Baobab tree, Adansonia digitata, grows in Africa. It is an unusual looking tree with a thick stem and spindly branches resembling roots. Many people call the Baobab 'the upside-down' tree because of its strange appearance. Once a year the trees are covered in large, white, saucer-shaped flowers. These flowers open at night and are pollinated by bats, bees and wasps. Once pollinated the flowers produce large oval-shaped pods. The pods are fibrous on the outside and filled with little kidney-shaped seeds embedded in a white pulp. The pulp is commonly known as 'cream-of-tartar'. The baobab tree has many uses. Its leaves can be eaten as spinach. The fruit pulp can be made into a nutritious drink or used to thicken stews. Seeds are used to produce oil and can also be roasted to make coffee. The bark of the baobab tree has strong fibers that are used as rope. Baobab trees are also known for their exceptional long life. Trees are commonly known to live up to 1000 years. Some of the biggest trees, with girths measuring over 37 meters, are considered to be over 1200 years old.