A Prehistoric Wonder: Adansonia digitata

Adansonia digitata is a deciduous tree that is commonly known as the African baobab. They are also referred to as "monkey bread", "bottle tree", "upside-down tree", "boab", "boaboa", and "tabaldi".

Baobabs are a genus (Adansonia) of eight species of deciduous trees of the mallow family. Although some of the species are located throughout Madagascar and Australia, Adansonia digitata are specifically native to Africa, located throughout 32 of the mainland countries.

Since 2005, 9 of the 13 oldest African baobabs, as well as 5 of the 6 largest, have died or suffered the collapse and death of their largest and oldest stems. Scientists suggest this is largely due to drought and higher temperatures, as these deaths are an unlikely phenomenon.

Adansonia digitata has large white flowers that hang loosely. They open at night and are pollinated by bats and bush babies (nocturnal primates).

The young leaves are edible, and the bark can be used to make rope, baskets, paper, cloth, and mats. The tree's pollen can be used to make glue.

The fruit can grow up to 30 cm long and is nutrient-dense. The pulp can be sucked or soaked in water, creating a refreshing drink. The dried fruit can be powdered and used in drinks like smoothies, sprinkled on deserts or in baking.

Films and literature have featured the iconic Baobab tree. In Disney's The Lion King, the monkey Rafiki’s tree is a baobab. It is also famously featured in the film Avatar and the classic children's novel, Le Petit Prince.