The Baobabs: Trees of Considerable Importance

1. Description

2. Background Information a. Common Names African Baobab, Baobab, Monkey Bread Tree, Upside Down Tree, Cream of Tartar Tree

b. Scientific Name Adansonia digitata L.

c. Family Name Bombacaceae

3. Species a. Adansonia digitata L. b. Adansonia Grandidieri c. Adansonia Gregorii d. Adansonia Madagascarcariensis e. Adansonia Perrieri f. Adansonia rubrostipa g. Adansonia suarezensis h. Adansonia za

4. Geographical Distribution/Distribution Range a. Located in Semiarid regions of tropical Africa, including countries south of the Sahara except Liberia, Uganda, Djibouti, Burundi and Central African Republic. b. Found in coastal areas of eastern and western Africa c. In East Africa – found in the lowlands

5. Conservation Status

6. Importance and Use a. Leaves b. Fruit c. Food Uses d. Seeds

7. Environmental Characteristics

8. Morphological Traits and Variation a. Characteristics b. Traits c. Genetic Variation

9. Threats

10. Socio-economic Value

11. Environmental Impact

12. Effects on Indigenous People

Adansonias reach heights of 5 to 30 m (16 to 98 ft) and have trunk diameters of 7 to 11 m (23 to 36 ft)

• Adansonia digitata L. – African Baobab (western, northeastern, central & southern Africa, and in Oman and Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula, Asia) • Adansonia grandidieri Baill. – Grandidier's Baobab (Madagascar) • Adansonia gregorii F.Muell. (syn. A. gibbosa) – Boab or Australian Baobab (northwest Australia) • Adansonia madagascariensis Baill. – Madagascar Baobab (Madagascar) • Adansonia perrieri Capuron – Perrier's Baobab (North Madagascar) • Adansonia rubrostipa Jum. & H.Perrier (syn. A. fony) – Fony Baobab (Madagascar) • Adansonia suarezensis