About

Adansonia is a genus of medium-to-large deciduous trees known as baobabs ( ; also UK: , US: ) or boababs. The eight species of Adansonia are native to Africa, Australia, and Madagascar but have also been introduced to other regions of the world, including Barbados, where several of the baobabs there are suspected to have originated from Africa. Other baobabs have been introduced to Asia. A genomic and ecological analysis further suggests that the genus itself originated in Madagascar.

The generic name Adansonia honours Michel Adanson, the French naturalist and explorer who provided the first detailed botanical description and illustrations of Adansonia digitata. The baobab, however, is also known as the "upside down tree", a name attributable to the trees' overall appearance and historical myths.

Where it grows

The Malagasy species are important components of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests. Within that biome, Adansonia madagascariensis and A. rubrostipa occur specifically in the Anjajavy Forest, sometimes growing out of the tsingy limestone itself. A. digitata has been called "a defining icon of African bushland". The tree also grows wild in Sudan in the regions of Darfur and the state of Kordofan. The locals call it gongolaze and use its fruit as food and medicine and use the tree trunks as reservoirs to save water.

Uses

Studies have shown that the tree has properties which are antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. Traditional medicine has used diverse parts of the African baobab tree for a variety of healing modalities: to remedy diarrhea and dysentery, lower fever, wipe out parasites, and suppress and heal coughs.

Other Adansonia plants

African Baobab · Grandidier's Baobab · Boab · Baobab · Baobab · Baobab