Baobabii, copaci supranumiti si "cu fundul in sus" isi au originile in Madagascar (6 specii), Africa (1 specie) si Australia (1 specie).

Baobabii ating
inaltimi intre 5 si 30 de metri si diametrul trunchiului ajunge intre 7 si 11 metrii. In Africa de Sud exista un exemplar de baobab, considerat cel mai
mare din lume inca in viata, a carui trunchi atinge 47 metrii in circumferinta si 15 metri in diametru. Se crede ca baobabii traiesc mii de ani, lucru greu
de verificat avand in vedere ca trunchiul de baobab nu are inele de crestere ca si alti copaci. Totusi testul cu carbon-14 poate da indicii asupra varstei
baobabilor.
Baobabul este copacul simbol national al Madagascarului



- Un mit african spune ca dupa creatie, fiecarui animal i s-a dat sa planteze un
copac, iar hiena a plantat baobabul invers, cu radacinile in aer


- Tot in cultura africana, baobabul este supranumit "Degetul lui Dumnezeu"
The trees usually grow as solitary individuals, and are
large and distinctive trees on the savannah, in the scrub,
and near settled areas, with some large individuals living
to well over a thousand years of age.[3] The tree bears
very large, heavy, white flowers. The showy flowers are
pendulous with a very large number of stamens. They
carry a carrion scent and researchers have shown that
they appear to be primarily pollinated by fruit bats of the
subfamily Pteropodinae..[4]
The specific epithet digitata refers to the fingers of a
hand, which the five leaflets (typically) in each cluster
bring to mind.
Food uses and nutrition


The fruit can be up to 25 centimetres (10 in) long and is used to make a drink.
The baobab is a traditional food plant in Africa, but is little-known elsewhere. The vegetable has been suggested to
have the potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and support sustainable land
care.[5]
The African baobab's fruit is 6 to 8 inches or 15 to 20 centimetres long. It contains 50% more calcium than
spinach, is high in antioxidants, and has three times the vitamin C of an orange.[6] It is sometimes called a
superfruit.[6] The leaves can be eaten as relish. The dry pulp is either eaten fresh or dissolved in milk or water to
make a refreshing drink. Young fresh leaves are cooked in a sauce, and sometimes are dried and powdered. The
powder is called lalo in Mali and sold in many village markets in Western Africa. Oil extracted by pounding the
seeds can be used for cooking but this is not widespread.[7]
In 2008, the European Union approved the use and consumption of baobab fruit as an ingredient in smoothies and
cereal bars.[8]


Adansonia digitata - baobabs
The United States Food and Drug Administration granted generally recognized as safe status to baobab dried fruit
pulp as a food ingredient in 2009.[9]
Baobab leaves are sometimes used as forage for ruminants in dry season. The oilmeal, which is a byproduct of oil
extraction, can also be used as animal feed.[10] To grow A. digitata from a seed, cutting into the thick seed coat
greatly speeds up germination, from months or years to seven days.
The seeds are not generally eaten by
animals and are discarded, thus effecting
dispersal.
Uses and cultural aspects
Large baobab trees with hollow stems
have been used by people for centuries for
various purposes including houses,
prisons, pubs, storage barns, and even as
bus stops! A big tree in the old Transvaal
region is recorded as once being used as
a dairy.
Another tree near Leydsdorp was used as
a bar (known as the Murchison Club) and
utilized by prospectors and miners during
the gold rush of the late 19th century. One
such tree in the Caprivi Strip was
converted into a toilet, complete with a
flushing system.
Rainwater often collects in the clefts of the
large branches, and travelers and local
people often use this valuable source of
water. It has been recorded that in some
cases the centre of the tree is purposely
hollowed out to serve as a reservoir for
water during the rainy season. One such
reservoir was recorded as holding 4 546
litres of water. A hole is drilled in the trunk
and a plug inserted so that water can be
easily retrieved by removing the plug. The
roots of the baobab can also be tapped for
water.
African honey bees (Apis mellifera) often
utilize hollows in the baobab to make their
hives. One can often see a 'ladder' of pegs
hammered into the trunk which is used by
seasonal honey harvesters to gain access
to the hives.
The leaves are said to be rich in vitamin C,
sugars, potassium tartrate, and calcium.
They are cooked fresh as a vegetable or
dried and crushed for later use by local
people. The sprout of a young tree can be
eaten like asparagus. The root of very
young trees is also reputed to be edible.
The seeds are also edible and can also be
roasted for use as a coffee substitute.
Caterpillars, which feed on the leaves, are
collected and eaten by African people as
an important source of protein. Wild
animals eat the fallen leaves and fresh
leaves are said to be good fodder for
domestic animals. The fallen flowers are
relished by wild animals and cattle alike.
When the wood is chewed, it provides vital
moisture to relieve thirst, humans as well
as certain animals eat it in times of
drought.
There are many legends and superstitions
surrounding the baobab tree. For example,
it is believed that an elephant frightened
the maternal ancestor of the baobab. In
some parts the baobab is worshipped as a
symbol of fertility. It is a belief among
certain people that spirits inhabit the
flowers of the baobab and that any person
who picks a flower will be eaten by a lion.
It is also believed that water in which the
seeds have been soaked will offer
protection against attack by crocodile,
while sucking or eating the seeds may
attract crocodiles. It is also believed that a
man who drinks an infusion of the bark will
become strong. In some areas a baby boy
should be bathed in such a bark infusion,
as this will make him strong; however, he
should not be bathed for too long or he
may become obese. It is also important
that this water does not touch his head for
this could cause it to swell. When
inhabitants move from one area to another
they often take seeds of the baobab with
them, which they plant at their new
homestead.
The bark on the lower part of the trunk
often bears scars caused by local people
who harvest and pound it to retrieve the
strong fibre. The fibrous bark is used to
make various useful items such as mats
and ropes, fishing nets, fishing lines, sacks
as well as clothing. Although the bark is
often heavily stripped by people and
elephants, these trees do not suffer as a
normal tree would from ringbarking.
Baobabs have the ability to simply
continue growing and produce a new layer
of bark. The wood of the baobab is soft,
light yellow and spongy, and although it
has been recorded as being used for
making boxes, this does not seem to be a
widely used practice.
Many references have made mention of
the exceptional vitality of this tree, noting
that even after the entire tree is cut down it
simply resprouts from the root and
continues to grow; the same is noted of
trees which have been blown over in
storms. Despite this remarkable vitality,
when a tree dies it collapses into a heap of
soggy, fibrous pulp. Stories exist of how
such quickly decomposing trees
spontaneously combust and get
completely burnt up.
More than 260 years ago baobabs were
apparently successfully grown in England
and had reached heights of 5-6 m, but
were all destroyed in the heavy frosts of
1740. Surprisingly few baobabs have
found their way into cultivation, possibly
due to their reputation of being
exceptionally slow growing.
The baobab was declared a protected tree
under the Forest Act in South Africa in
1941.
Determining the age of baobabs: Much
speculation in literature over many years
have made certain estimates of the age of
certain large trees and their rate of growth.
More recent work using carbon-dating
techniques as well as the study of core
samples showing growth rings, suggest
that a tree with a diameter of 10 m may be
as old as 2000 years.
Growing Adansonia digitata
Baobabs are quite easily grown from seed
although they are seldom available in
nurseries. Seed can be collected from dry
fruits by cracking the fruit open and
washing away the dry, powdery coating.
The dark brown to black, kidney-shaped
seeds should be soaked in a container of
hot water and allowed to cool, they may
then be sown after soaking for 24 hrs.
Seeds are best sown in spring and
summer in a well-drained seedling mixture
containing one-third sand.
Cover the seed with sand to a depth of 4-6
mm, place the trays in a warm semi-
shaded position and water regularly until
the seeds have all germinated.
Germination may take from two to six
weeks. Seedlings should be carefully
monitored for damping off fungus, which
can be treated with a fungicidal drench.
Transplant the seedlings once they are 50
mm high into individual containers,
preferably in a sandy soil with some well-
rotted compost and bone meal. Baobabs
grow reasonably quickly when they are
young.
They will make a handsome addition to a
large garden, estate, or large parkland
providing the soil is not waterlogged.
Baobabs cannot tolerate even mild frost.
When they are young, baobabs do not
resemble their adult counterparts, the
stems are thin and inconspicuous, and
their leaves are simple and not divided into
the five to seven lobes of the adult trees.
Saplings can be effectively grown in
containers or tubs for many years before
becoming too large and requiring to be
planted into the ground. In this manner
one can move them out of the cold into a
warm position in a glasshouse or indoors
behind a sunny window to prevent frost
damage.
References
Coates Palgrave, K.; P. & M. 1985.
Everyone's guide to trees of South Africa.
Struik, Cape Town.
Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. &
Shnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of
South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
Germishuizen,G. & Meyer, N.L. (eds).
2003. Plants of southern Africa: an
annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14. National
Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Kubitzki, K & Bayer, C. 2003. The families
and genera of vascular plants, vol. 5.
Springer, Heidelberg.
Palmer, E. & Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of
southern Africa, vol. 2. Balkema, Cape
Town.
Venter, F. & Venter, J. 1985. Making the
most of indigenous trees. Briza
Publications, Pretoria.

Adansonia digitata, commonly known as the African baobab tree, is mostly known for its
exceptional height and girth. The trunk tends to be bottle-shaped and can reach an impressive
diameter of 10-14m and the tree can reach a height of 25m, the height of a 5 story building.
The branches are thick, wide, and stout compared to the trunk, and can be spread evenly
across the height of the tree, but are usually limited to the apex. The bark tends to be smooth,
ranging in color from reddish brown to grey, with the rare exception of being rough and wrinkly
like elephant skin. The flowers of Adansonia digitata are white and large, 12 cm across, have
5 petals that are hairy inside and are generally leathery; the sepals are cup-shaped and 5-
cleft; the stamens divide into multiple anthers and the styles are long and 7-10 rayed. The
flowers rarely have a life span of more than 24 hours and are pollinated by bats, insects, and
wind (Ebert et al. 2002, Sidibe and Williams 2002). The fruits are variable in how they look, but
tend to be ovoid and covered with velvety hairs; the pulp is dry and mealy, contained within a
woody pericarp (Sidibe and Williams 2002). The root system of A. digitata, while shallow,
spreads further than the height of the tree, contributing to its ability to survive in dry climates.
The range of the shallow root system allows the trees to collect and store massive amounts of
water during the heavy, but infrequent rainfalls, which they then use to photosynthesize in the
trunk during the 8 months in which they are leafless. This species is found to be among the
most effective trees at preventing water loss. The tree tends to grow in sandy-textured soils,
but can be found on rocky hillsides or in places where there is runoff. Every part of the African
baobab tree has been used by humans for multiple purposes, including medicinally and
nutritionally, however it is not widely cultivated (Ebert et al. 2002).

Uses

Adansonia digitata (baobab)
An important indigenous fruit tree, the fruit
pulp (rich in vitamin C) is eaten on its own
or mixed in porridge and is also used for
making soft drinks. Seeds are used as a
thickener for soups, and leaves are eaten
as a vegetable or in soups.
Fibres from the inner bark are used to
make rope and string for basketry, as well
as for making beehives. Trunks that have
been hollowed by lightning or by humans
have been employed imaginatively as a
pub, toilet, prison and bus stop. In western
Sudan, the trunks were used as water
containers. The roots produce a dye.
Roots, bark, leaves, fruits and seeds are
used medicinally for an enormous range of
ailments, among the more common of
which are iron deficiency, digestive system
disorders, infections and skin disorders.
Baobab is used in both human and
veterinary treatments.
Baobab also has some perceived magical
uses. For example, it is said that a
decoction of the seeds will protect you
against crocodiles and that flowers are
inhabited by spirits.
Millennium Seed Bank: Seed storage
The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership
aims to save plant life worldwide, focusing
on plants under threat and those of most
use in the future. Seeds are dried,
packaged and stored at a sub-zero
temperature in our seed bank vault.
Seven collections of Adansonia digitata
are held in Kews Millennium Seed Bank
based at Wakehurst in West Sussex.
See Kews Seed Information Database for
further information on Adansonia digitata
seeds.
Cultivation
Baobab seeds germinate readily, but
seedlings can take a long time to become
established, and it may take 1623 years
until a tree produces its first flowers.
This species at Kew
Alcohol-preserved specimens of
Adansonia digitata are held in Kews
Herbarium, where they are available to
researchers by appointment. The details of
some of these specimens can be seen
online in Kews Herbarium Catalogue.
Specimens of baobab are held in Kews
Economic Botany Collection in the Sir
Joseph Banks Building, where they are
available to researchers by appointment.
Ads not by this site
Useful links
Search Kews science databases for more
information on Adansonia digitata
Kews Project MGU the Useful Plants
Project
Buy The Baobab: Africas Upside-Down
Tree by G.E. Wickens
References and credits
Beentje, H. J. (1989). Bombacaceae. In:
Flora of Tropical East Africa, ed. R. M.
Polhill. Balkema, Rotterdam.
Beentje, H. J. (1994). Kenya Trees,
Shrubs and Lianas. National Museums of
Kenya, Nairobi.
Coates Palgrave, K. (2002). Trees of
Southern Africa, 3rd Edition. Struik, Cape
Town, Johannesburg.
Patrut, A., von Reden, K. F., Lowy, D. A.,
Alberts, A. H., Pohlman, J. W., Wittmann,
R., Gerlach, D., Li, Xu & Mitchell, C. S.
(2007). Radiocarbon dating of a very large
African baobab. Tree Physiology 27:
15691574.
Sacande, M., Ronne, C., Sanon, M. D. &
Joker, D. (2006). Adansonia digitata L.:
Seed Leaflet 109. Forest & Landscape
Denmark, Denmark.
Wickens, G. E. & Lowe, P. (2008). The
Baobabs: Pachycauls of Africa,
Madagascar and Australia. Berlin,
Germany; New York, NY: Springer.
Kew Science Editor: Henk Beentje
Copyediting: Emma Tredwell
Although every effort has been taken to
ensure that the information contained in
these pages is reliable and complete,
notes on hazards, edibility and suchlike
included here are recorded information
and do not constitute recommendations.
No responsibility will be taken for readers
own actions. Full website terms and
conditions.



Food Uses:
The off-white, powdery substance of the
fruit is apparently rich in ascorbic acid. It is
this white powdery substance which is
soaked in water to provide a refreshing
drink somewhat reminiscent of lemonade.
The leaves are said to be rich in vitamin C,
sugars, potassium tartrate, and calcium.
They are cooked fresh as a vegetable or
dried and crushed for later use by local
people. The sprout of a young tree can be
eaten like asparagus. The root of very
young trees is also reputed to be edible.
The seeds are also edible and can also be
roasted for use as a coffee substitute.
Caterpillars, which feed on the leaves, are
collected and eaten by African people as
an important source of protein. Wild
animals eat the fallen leaves and fresh
leaves are said to be good fodder for
domestic animals. The fallen flowers are
relished by wild animals and cattle alike.
When the wood is chewed, it provides vital
moisture to relieve thirst and humans as
well as certain animals eat it in times of
drought.
(Coates Palgrave, K. 1985. Everyone's
guide to trees of South Africa.)
(Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. and
Sohnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of
South Africa.)
(Germishuizen,G. and Meyer, N.L. 2003.
Plants of southern Africa: an annotated
checklist.)
(Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of
southern Africa.)
(Venter, F. and Venter, J. 1985. Making
the most of indigenous trees.)



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Medicinal Uses:**
The drink made from the white powdery
substance soaked in water is also used to
treat fevers and other complaints.



** The information provided above is not
intended to be used as a guide for
treatment of medical conditions using
plants.
(close)

Status:
Regarded as the largest succulent plant in
the world, the baobab tree is steeped in a
wealth of mystique, legend and
superstition wherever it occurs in Africa. It
is a tree that can provide, food, water,
shelter and relief from sickness.

The baobab was declared a protected tree
under the Forest Act in South Africa in
1941.
(Coates Palgrave, K. 1985. Everyone's
guide to trees of South Africa.)
(Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. and
Sohnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of
South Africa.)
(Germishuizen,G. and Meyer, N.L. 2003.
Plants of southern Africa: an annotated
checklist.)
(Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of
southern Africa.)
(Venter, F. and Venter, J. 1985. Making
the most of indigenous trees.)



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Species Interconnections and
Interdependencies:
Baobab trees flower for the first time at
about 20 years. In mid-summer, dozens of
luminous white blossoms - the size of
saucers - open at sunset and their strong
musky odour attracts fruit bats and hosts
of insects.
Large bats seek out the sweet nectar and
collect and distribute pollen as they move
from flower to flower. The flower is short
lived and it drops to the ground within
hours of being pollinated. The resultant
seeds develop in a hairy pod which
resembles a miniature rugby ball (inside of
which is a white pulp from which a
substance similar to "cream of tartar" is
derived). Once they fall to the ground, the
pods are fed upon by baboons, monkeys,
antelope and elephants. The seeds are
not generally eaten by animals and are
discarded, thus effecting dispersal.
African honey bees (Apis mellifera) often
utilize hollows in the baobab to make their
hives. One can often see a "ladder" of
pegs hammered into the trunk which is
used by seasonal honey harvesters to
gain access to the hives.
The sculptured branches, with their
hollows, dents and bloated stems, provide
shelter and home for a great variety of
animals. Galagos (bushbaby), squirrels,
rodents, lizards, snakes and tree frogs, as
well as spiders, scorpions and insects may
live out their entire life in a single tree.
Holes in the trunk provide ideal nesting
sites for birds such as rollers, hornbills,
parrots, kestrels and spinetails. Larger
cavities are frequently occupied by
families of Barn Owls or Ground Hornbills.
Eagles, vultures and storks frequently
build their large stick nests on the outer
branches, and the colonial nests of Red-
billed Buffalo-weavers are more often
found in Baobabs than any other tree.
(Coates Palgrave, K. 1985. Everyone's
guide to trees of South Africa.)
(Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. and
Sohnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of
South Africa.)
(Germishuizen,G. and Meyer, N.L. 2003.
Plants of southern Africa: an annotated
checklist.)
(Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of
southern Africa.)
(Venter, F. and Venter, J. 1985. Making
the most of indigenous trees.)



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Scientific Research:
Baobabs may be the oldest life forms on
the African continent, and many of the
specimens still standing today have
certainly been around since the birth of
Christ, others perhaps longer.
More recent work using carbon-dating
techniques as well as the study of core
samples showing growth rings, suggest
that a tree with a diameter of 10 m may be
as old as 2000 years.
(Coates Palgrave, K. 1985. Everyone's
guide to trees of South Africa.)
(Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. and
Sohnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of
South Africa.)
(Germishuizen,G. and Meyer, N.L. 2003.
Plants of southern Africa: an annotated
checklist.)
(Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of
southern Africa.)
(Venter, F. and Venter, J. 1985. Making
the most of indigenous trees.)


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Native Legends and Names:
The name Adansonia was given to this
tree to commemorate the French surgeon
Michel Adanson (1727-1806). The species
name "digitata" means "hand-like" and it is
in reference to the shape of the leaves.

There is a tale which tells of how God
planted them upside-down. Many
traditional Africans believe that the baobab
actually grows upside-down.
There are many legends and superstitions
surrounding the baobab tree. For example,
it is believed that an elephant frightened
the maternal ancestor of the baobab. In
some parts the baobab is worshipped as a
symbol of fertility. It is a belief among
certain people that spirits inhabit the
flowers of the baobab and that any person
who picks a flower will be eaten by a lion.
It is also believed that water in which the
seeds have been soaked will offer
protection against attack by crocodile,
while sucking or eating the seeds may
attract crocodiles. It is also believed that a
man who drinks an infusion of the bark will
become strong. In some areas a baby boy
should be bathed in such a bark infusion,
as this will make him strong. However, he
should not be bathed for too long or he
may become obese. It is also important
that this water does not touch his head for
this could cause it to swell. When
inhabitants move from one area to another
they often take seeds of the baobab with
them, which they plant at their new
homestead.
A legend of the Baobab describes what
happens if you are never satified with what
you already have:
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.
(Coates Palgrave, K. 1985. Everyone's
guide to trees of South Africa.)
(Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. and
Sohnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of
South Africa.)
(Germishuizen,G. and Meyer, N.L. 2003.
Plants of southern Africa: an annotated
checklist.)
(Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of
southern Africa.)
(Venter, F. and Venter, J. 1985. Making
the most of indigenous trees.)



(close)

Indigenous Practices:
Large baobab trees with hollow stems
have been used by people for centuries for
various purposes including houses,
prisons, pubs, storage barns, and even as
bus stops! A big tree in the old Transvaal
region is recorded as once being used as
a dairy.
Rainwater often collects in the clefts of the
large branches, and travelers and local
people often use this valuable source of
water.
It has been recorded that in some cases
the centre of the tree is purposely
hollowed out to serve as a reservoir for
water during the rainy season. One such
reservoir was recorded as holding 4546
litres of water. A hole is drilled in the trunk
and a plug inserted so that water can be
easily retrieved by removing the plug. The
roots of the baobab can also be tapped for
water.
The bark on the lower part of the trunk
often bears scars caused by local people
who harvest and pound it to retrieve the
strong fibre. The fibrous bark is used to
make various useful items such as mats
and ropes, fishing nets, fishing lines, sacks
as well as clothing. Although the bark is
often heavily stripped by people and
elephants, these trees do not suffer as a
normal tree would from ringbarking.
Baobabs have the ability to simply
continue growing and produce a new layer
of bark. The wood of the baobab is soft,
light yellow and spongy, and although it
has been recorded as being used for
making boxes, this does not seem to be a
widely used practice.
(Coates Palgrave, K. 1985. Everyone's
guide to trees of South Africa.)
(Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. and
Sohnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of
South Africa.)
(Germishuizen,G. and Meyer, N.L. 2003.
Plants of southern Africa: an annotated
checklist.)
(Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of
southern Africa.)
(Venter, F. and Venter, J. 1985. Making
the most of indigenous trees.)

(Information for this species compiled and
recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG
Consultant.)