About Baobab tree...
"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 it quiet." (Arabian legend)
If I were to describe the baobab, I would say that it looks like it has been picked out of the ground and stuffed back in upside-down. The trunk would be the tap-root, and the branches the finer capillary roots. Not only the outside of the tree is especial. The tree also known as Tree of Life. The baobab is leafless for nine months of the year just its 45 cm long fruits hang down. In the wet months water is stored in its thick, corky, fire-resistant trunk for the nine dry months ahead. The trunk is massive: as much as 35 ft (10.7 m) in diameter and shaped like a bottle. The trunk is in fact used to store water during dry periods. It's not uncommon for old trees to have several huge trunks branching off near the ground, and a tree 60 ft (18.3 m) tall can have a spread of more than 100 ft (30.5 m). It can grow up to 25 meters tall and can live for several thousand years. The baobab is the most helpful tree of tropical Africa, all parts of the tree are used. The fruit is a large, egg-shaped capsule and its rich in ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and soaked in water to provide a refreshing drink somewhat reminiscent of lemonade. This drink is also used to treat fevers and other complaints. The bark of the baobab is used for cloth and rope, the leaves for condiments and medicines, while the fruit, called "monkey bread", is eaten. Sometimes people live inside of the huge trunks, and bush-babies live in the crown.
The blossom of Baobab tree
and its fruits
The Latin name of the tree Adansonia was given to this tree to commemorate the French surgeon Michel Adanson (1727-1806); the species name digitata meaning hand-like, is in reference to the shape of the leaves. The origin of the name Baobab is Arabian, it comes from world: 'bu hibab'. The Baobab tree has many names: monkey tree or Dead Rat tree or in our days just say: upside down tree.
Left:
An old Baobab tree with great hole
on its trunk. The hole probably made by animals which had found stored
water inside the tree.
Below:
..and it looks very practical lookout place for the king of the Savannas.
