Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) is a member of the Bombacaceae family. It was named after the French naturalist and explorer Michel Adanson, who described Adansonia digitata in Senegal in 1750.
Other names for the Baobab include Cream of Tartar tree (which can be made from the seeds), the sour gourd tree, the monkey-bread tree (because they eat the seed pods) and lemonade tree (because of a drink that can be made from the sap). In Afrikaans it is called kremetartboom; in isiZulu the isiMuku, umShimulu or isiMuhu; in Tsonga the ximuwu; in Setswana the mowana, and in Venda the muvhuyu.
The baobab tree has an enormous barrel-like trunk which may reach a diameter of 9m and a height of 18m. It is also one of the longest lived trees in the world; radio-carbon dating has measured ages of over 2,000 years.
www.southafricaholiday.org.uk/nature/p_baobab.htm
Uploaded by kimberleyelephant on 19 May 07, 2.36PM PDT.
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