Baobab Trees

Baobab trees, or "monkey bread trees", store water inside their swollen wide trunks. Baobabs are usually found in Madagascar. In fact, the baobab is the national tree of Madagascar. Baobabs are also used for bonsai.

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Baobab Seedling

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Baobab Trees are upside-down trees

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The_Zimbio_Team on

The baobab tree has a unique nickname, the "upside-down tree". This nick-name stems from an Arabic legend which claims that a devil uprooted a tree and planted it upside down, creating what is now the baobab. Some think that this Arabic legend may have derived from an even older African legend. The similar African tale suggests that each animal was given a tree to plant, and the hyena accidentally planted his tree upside-down. Regardless, the Baobab has many nick-names and "upside-down... Read Full Story

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Another legend about Baobab Trees

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The_Zimbio_Team on

Found this legend online : "The baobab was among the first trees to appear on the land. Next came the slender, graceful palm tree. When the baobab saw the palm tree, it cried out that it wanted to be taller. Then the beautiful flame tree appeared with its red flower and the baobab was envious for flower blossoms. When the baobab saw the magnificent fig tree, it prayed for fruit as well. The gods became angry with the tree and pulled it up by its roots, then replanted it upside down to keep... Read Full Story

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Welcome to our blog about Baobab Trees

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The_Zimbio_Team on

This is our group blog, which is unique because any Zimbio member can post an entry to it. Some members blog about recent news and trends related to the portal topic, others recount relevant personal stories. You can also comment on and rate existing blog entries, to voice your opinion and to help the community identify which members and entries on the portal are must-reads. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this portal? Well, then put on your journalist's cap... Read Full Story

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Baobab superfruit ruling in Brussels spells sweet news for African growers

Fruit from the baobab tree can be used in food products in Britain for the first time after a decision by the European Commission. The fruit will be used in cereal bars and smoothie drinks.

From timesonline.co.uk ()

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Will the new trade in baobab fruit benefit or exploit Africa?

The baobab tree’s life cycle can be hundreds of years. It is obviously not cultivated, so the extract falls in the realm of naturally-growing, ...

From news.google.com via Google News. ()

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Giant baobab trees dot the landscape along the Mangoky River in Madagascar.

Exotic species and Homo sapiens have a hard time existing side by side. Wherever you find Man, you are also likely to find that rare birds, mammals, fish and flowers have been driven to the brink of extinction, ...

From rss.topix.net via Topix. ()

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Africa news round-up: 18.7.08

Baobab trees at dusk. The EU has approved the nutritious Baobab fruit for consumption in the UK. Photograph: Gregoire Pourtier/AFP An unusual approach to ...

From news.google.com via Google News. ()

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Vitamin-rich Baobab fruit promise huge job boost for Africa

Fruit from a native African tree, the baobab, is to be sold in the UK after the EU gave permission for it to be imported for use in smoothies and cereal bars.

From news.bbc.co.uk ()

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The return of Orchestra Baobab

The baobab tree is a symbol of Senegal, along with the lion." 1970s Nigeria was bursting with Fela Kuti's brilliantly funky, hard-driving Afrobeat, ...

From news.google.com via Google News. ()

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About the Baobab Tree

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Baobab-Solutions has this great summary of Adansonia Digitata, aka the Baobab:

Description:

At around 20 meters tall, the Baobab tree towers majestically over its neighbours on the African savannahs.

A 'young' baobab towering over its neighbours

The main characteristic of the tree is its broad trunk, which can reach over 15 meters in diameter. The tree behaves much like a succulent, storing masses of water in its trunk. For this reason, the circumference of a Baobab can vary significantly between wet and dry seasons.

The enormous, crinkled white flowers last only a single day, and are pollinated by fruit bats. In time, the flowers are followed by woody seed pods, with a greyish green furry coating.

Fruit of the baobab

This can be quite a curious site, resembling rats hanging by their tails from the tree, giving rise to another nickname for the tree: "dead rat tree ".

Source: Baobab-Solutions.com

Monkey bread tree links

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Adansonia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baobab Tree - Adansonia digitata

baobab trees - africa's oldest inhabitants?

Darfur IDPs: voices from the desert

Baobab Tree Classification

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Common Name: Baobab
Genus: Adansonia
Species: digitata

Species of Baobab Trees

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Species of Baobab Trees

Adansonia digitata – African Baobab

Adansonia grandidieri – Grandidier's Baobab

Adansonia gregorii – Boab or Australian Baobab

Adansonia madagascariensis – Madagascar Baobab

Adansonia perrieri – Perrier's Baobab

Adansonia rubrostipa – Fony Baobab

Adansonia suarezensis – Suarez Baobab

Adansonia za – Za Baobao

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