Baobab Tree Namibia 1063 Information
Named after the French Botanist Michael
BAOBAB TREES - Adansonia digitata. Named after the French Botanist Michael Adanson. Subject of much African legend...
Baobab Tree - Adansonia digitata
Baobab Tree - What's in a name:
Westerners trading with 16th century Egyptian merchants came to know to the parts of the tree used for medicinal purposes, or for flavoring as being named Bu-Hoab. The French botanist Michel Adanson (1727 - 1806) who's valuable contribution to the science of botany was honored by having the tree named after him. The tree is also referred to as being the 'cream of tartar tree' and 'the monkey bread tree' and the 'sour gourd tree'
explorer Dr. David Livingstone described the tree as being like, 'A giant upturned carrot'.
- Adansonia digitata - African | Central & Southern Africa
- Adansonia grandidieri -Grandidier's | Madagascar
- Adansonia gregorii - (syn. A gibbosa) - Boab or | Australian Baobab, New South Wales
- Adansonia madagascariensis - Madagascan
- Adansonia perrieri - Perrier's | Madagscar
- Adansonia rubrostipa (syn. A. fony) Fony | Madagascar
- Adansonia suarezensis - Suarez | Madagascar
- Adansonia za - Za | Magagascar
Trunk Size: The average trunk diameter of a Baobab Tree is 5 meters, but up to 12 meters are not uncommon and they can attain heights of about 30 meters. The trunks do not have annual growth rings, making it difficult to accurately age the tree. The shape of the trunks varies from bottle - cylindrical - tapering and often two or more trunks will occur. The wood is soft and fibrous being able to store up to water. A fully grown tree can hold up to 120,000 liters of water.
Some Baobab Trees have hollow trunks and often doors are fitted to the openings offering a secure lock-up. Baobabs equipped in this way have served as store-rooms, prison cells and even bars. In northern Namibia the Baobab at Ombalantu in Owamboland was once used as Post office, whereas one at Katima Mulilo in Caprivi Region has been fitted with a water flushing toilet.
Age: There are African stories that tell of Baobabs that are one or two thousand years old, but as the tree does not produce annual growth rings they are difficult to age. These claims are viewed with skepticism by botanists.
The Baobab Tree As A Provider:
The Baobab plays an important role in the lives of many Africans as it provides for many of their needs.
Leaves : The Baobab remains leafless for about nine months of the year throughout the dry season. When in leaf the large palmate leaves are commonly used as a 'leaf vegetable' in stews and soups. The leaves are dried and ground into a powder that is taken to help stop diarrhea and stomach ailments, and is used as preventative for excessive perspiration.
Bark: Freshly cut bark is pulped to extract an acidic juice that can be taken as a remedy for fevers and is used as a disinfectant and mouthwash. The acidic pulp is also used as a poultice that can be used for helping to draw out poison from insect bites or an infected area. The bark is fibrous and is often used for making ropes, baskets, and even cloth.
The Fruit: Can be eaten fresh, and the whitish pulp used for making 'Cream of Tartar'. Dried they can be ground and used as a substitute for coffee.
From Grootfontein drive on the B8 road towards Rundu. After 4 km look carefully for the road sign for the M 73. It is small and can be easily missed. Turn left onto M73. After 8 km turn right onto the D2848. After 39 km there is a T junction. Drive straight on the road now becomes the D2855. After 33 km you will see the Baobab Tree sign on your right.
Acknowledgements and further reading: H12, P1, W13
Of Interest: Antoine de Saint-Exupery's much loved story of The Little Prince tells of trees (Baobabs) as big as castles that grew on his asteroid. The writer poses the question, 'Why are there no other drawings in this book as magnificent as this drawing of the Baobabs?" The reply is simple, "I have tried, but with the others I have not been successful. When I made the drawing of the Baobabs I was carried beyond myself by the inspiring force of urgent necessity."
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