Adansonia digitata

Adansonia digitata, the African baobab, is the most widespread tree species of the genus Adansonia, the baobabs, and is native to the African continent and the southern Arabian Peninsula (Yemen, Oman). These are long-lived pachycauls; radiocarbon dating has shown at least one individual to be 1,275 years old. They are typically found in dry, hot savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, where they dominate the landscape and reveal the presence of a watercourse from afar. They have traditionally been valued as sources of food, water, health remedies or places of shelter and are a key food source for many animals. They are steeped in legend and superstition. In recent years, many of the largest, oldest trees have died, for unknown reasons. Other common names for the baobab include monkey-bread tree, upside-down tree, and cream of tartar tree.

Description

A large tree. It grows up to 25 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The branches are thick, angular and spread out wide. The trunk is short and stout and can be 10-14 m around. Often the trunk has deep grooves or is fluted. The bark is smooth and grey but can be rough and wrinkled. The leaves spread out like fingers on a hand. There are 5-9 leaflets. Often the leaves are crowded near the ends of branches. The flowers are large and 12-15 cm across. The petals are white and the stamens are purple. The fruit hangs singly on a long stalk. The fruit has a woody shell. This can be 20-30 cm long and 10 cm across. On the outside of the fruit are green to brown hairs. Inside the fruit are hard brown seeds. They are about 15 mm long. The seeds are in a yellow white floury pulp. The pulp is edible. The thick roots end in fattened tubers.

Edible Uses

The baobab is a remarkably versatile food plant with almost every part offering something edible. The fruit pulp — found inside the velvet-covered, gourd-like pods that hang from the tree and can reach about 30cm in length — is white, powdery, and dry when fully ripe. It is exceptionally rich in vitamins C and B2. The pulp is eaten directly, mixed with milk to make a fermented porridge, or dissolved in water to produce a refreshing drink said to taste like lemonade. The acid pith also serves as a cream of tartar substitute in baking, and can be roasted to make a coffee substitute. Young leaves are cooked as a tasty spinach-like potherb, or dried and ground into a powder to thicken soups and stews. Rich in vitamin C and uronic acids, they are widely sought in West Africa as a soup vegetable. A leaf extract called 'lalo' gives couscous a smooth consistency, and the leaves also function as a condiment and seasoning. Seeds are eaten mixed with millet meal or ground into a flour used as a flavouring or baking powder substitute. When slightly fermented, the flour takes on an almond flavour. The roasted seed doubles as a coffee substitute. Seeds can also be sucked — they contain tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate — or soaked in water to make a palatable drink. An edible oil with a pleasant flavour can be pressed from the seeds. Flowers are eaten raw. Tender roots are edible, and mature thick roots are cooked during times of famine. In Sierra Leone, a root decoction prepared by boiling, roasting, soaking, or fermenting the roots is widely used as food and tastes of almonds. The shoots of germinating seeds are eaten as a vegetable and have a delicious flavour. In extreme drought, the water-rich wood is chewed by both humans and animals. The wood can also serve as a salt substitute.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable. The dried leaves are also used to thicken soups. The fruit pulp is eaten raw. It is also used for a drink. The flowers are eaten raw or cooked. The seeds can be eaten fresh or dried and ground into flour then added to soups. They yield a cooking oil. The young tender roots are eaten. The fattened root tubers are cooked and eaten. The bark is eaten and the dried leaves are used as flavouring. The shoots of germinating seeds are eaten.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are considered hyposensitive and antihistamine, and are used to treat kidney and bladder diseases, asthma, general fatigue, diarrhoea, insect bites, and guinea worm. Infusions of leaves and flowers are valued for respiratory problems, digestive disorders, and eye inflammation. Seeds are used to treat gastric, kidney, and joint diseases — they are roasted, ground, and either the powder is smeared on the affected area or drunk in water. Seed paste is applied for tooth and gum diseases. The fruit pulp, seed, and bark are reputedly an antidote to Strophanthus poisoning. The pulp is widely used across Africa as a diaphoretic to combat fevers and to treat dysentery. Bark gum is used for cleansing sores, and also as an expectorant and diaphoretic. The bark is used in steam baths to calm shivering and high fever, and a bark decoction is taken for body pains, colds, fever, and influenza. A root decoction is taken as a remedy for lassitude, impotence, and kwashiorkor. Sun-dried leaves are chemically rich, containing 3.6% calcium oxide, potassium tartarate, common salt, and tannin. Seed oil content (Nigerian sample) is 15%, with a fatty acid profile of: 14:0 = trace, 18:0 = 5%, 18:1 = 33%, 18:2 = 29%, and cyclopropenoid acids = 7%. Proximate composition (after Abdelmuti, dry basis): crude protein 3.1%, fat 0.5%, crude fibre 9.2%, insoluble ash 5.8%, starch 15.3%, sucrose 19.3%, D-glucose 0.6%, D-fructose 5.6%. Amino acids (g per 16g N): aspartic acid 9.8g, threonine 5.2g, serine 5.9g, glutamic acid 10.1g, proline 7.5g, glycine 5.5g, alanine 5.2g, valine 5.2g, cysteine 1.3g, methionine 1.3g, isoleucine 4.2g, leucine 6.8g, tyrosine 3.3g, phenylalanine 4.2g, lysine 4.6g, histidine 1.6g, arginine 4.6g. Minerals (dry basis): sulphur 0.13%, potassium 0.06%, magnesium 0.14%, calcium 0.36%, sodium 0.01%, K 2.57%, zinc 13mg/kg, iron 17mg/kg, manganese 8mg/kg, copper 8mg/kg, aluminium 10mg/kg.

Known Hazards

None listed.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. It grows in the hot dry regions of tropical Africa. It grows in the Sahel. It survives well in dry climates. It grows where rainfall is 100-1,000 mm a year. It can tolerate fire. It grows where the annual temperatures are between 20°C and 30°C. In most places it grows below 900 m altitude but occasionally grows to 1500 m altitude. It requires good drainage. It can grow in arid places. It grows in Miombo woodland in Africa. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Africa*, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Oman, Pacific, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants succeed in the lowland drier tropics up to an elevation of 1,500 metres. They grow best in areas with a mean annual temperature in the range 20 - 30?c. They prefer a mean annual rainfall of 250 - 1,000mm, but can tolerate it as low as 100mm or as high as 1,500mm. They cannot succeed in areas subject to frost, being able to tolerate no more than one day of frost each year. Requires a position in full sun in a sandy, well-drained soil. Plants do not grow in deep sandy soils, presumably because they are unable to obtain sufficient anchorage and moisture, but are commonly found in sandy soils overlying loam and with a high water table. Established plants are very drought tolerant. Prefers an acidic soil with a pH lower than 6.5. After reasonably fast growth when very young Trees grow quickly reaching 2 m in 2 years, it becomes a very slow-growing and long-lived tree, with some gnarled specimens believed to be around 2,000 years old. The thick, fibrous bark is remarkably fire resistant, and even if the interior is completely burnt out, the tree continues to live. The wood inside the bark is unusually soft - hollowed out trees have been used as bars, shops and even prisons. Plants are resistant to termites. The baobab is a popular species for bonsai specimens. In dry regions, the baobab plays a vital role in water storage; a hollowed trunk may be carved out in 3 - 4 days. A medium-sized tree may hold 400 gallons while a large tree could contain over 2,000 gallons, and water stored in them is said to remain sweet for several years if the hollow is kept well closed The flowers emit what some describe as a strong carrion smell, which is presumably attractive to the bats. Optimal spacing is thought to be 20 to 30 m apart. Suitable for xeriscaping. Trees produce fruit after 2 to 15 years.

Propagation

Sow seed in containers; germination is usually 90–100% and takes 1–3 months at 21°C. Germination is faster and more reliable if seeds are nicked or soaked in boiling water then left to soak for 24 hours. Overnight soaking in water alone also softens the seed coat. Nicked seeds may germinate in as few as 6 days, though 15–40 days is more typical. Direct sowing into the soil is preferable. When seedlings emerge, shade them for 8 days, then provide half shade for a further 4–7 days before exposing them to full sun. Seedlings should be 3–4 months old and 40–50cm tall before transplanting. Seed can be stored at room temperature for at least 4 years without loss of viability. Approximately 2,500 seeds per kg. Plants can also be grown from cuttings.

Other Uses

Decaying wood from trees that have died of old age or lightning is spread on fields as fertilizer. Ash from the shell, bark, and seed is rich in potash and is used both as a fertilizer and in soap-making, the latter prepared by boiling bark and fruit ash in oil. The shell serves as a dish, water dipper, vessel for liquids, snuffbox, fishing float, or rat trap. Powdered husk or peduncle can be smoked as a tobacco substitute or added to snuff to increase pungency. Pulp extract is used as a hair wash and as a coagulant for rubber. A glue can be made by mixing flower pollen with water. The wood and bark contain tannins. The roots yield a useful red dye. Distilling the seeds produces a non-drying, golden yellow oil of agreeable taste, used in soap-making; seed oil content is about 14%. The burning fruit pulp produces an acrid, irritating smoke used as a fumigant to deter insects troublesome to livestock. Bark is boiled for days to extract a substance poisonous to ants. Bark from the lower stems of younger trees and from the roots can be stripped to produce a valuable fibre measuring 90–120cm in length. When managed carefully, the bark regenerates and can be stripped again years later without seriously damaging the tree. The fibre is made into cordage, ropes, harness straps, mats, snares, fishing lines, fibre cloth, musical instrument strings, tethers, bed-springs, and bowstrings. It can be woven into waterproof hats that also serve as drinking vessels, and is considered the best material for Kenya's 'kiondo' baskets. Strong, tough, tear-resistant paper made from the fibre is commercially used in India for currency notes. The wood is whitish, spongy, and light (air-dried 320kg/m³). Prone to fungal attack and of no commercial timber value, it is used locally for canoes, rafts, insulating boards, wooden platters, trays, boxes, and fishing net floats. The shell and seeds are used as fuel by potters to smooth earthenware necklaces before firing.

Production

Trees grow quickly reaching 2 m in 2 years. Trees produce fruit after 2 to 15 years. The plant is pollinated by bats, insects and winds. Trees can last 600 or more years. Fruit can be stored for about a year.

Other Information

It is an important food. It is sold in local markets. Young leaves are commonly used in sauces.

Notes

There are 8 Adansonia species. The fruit pulp has a high Vitamin C content. Also put in the family Bombacaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.Chemical composition - leaves (sun-dried): rich in calcium, containing 3.6% calcium oxide, potassium tartarate, common salt and tannin. Acid composition of seed oils (Nigerian sample): Oil = 15%. Fatty acid composition - 14:0 = trace. 18:0 = 5%. 18:1 = 33%. 18:2 = 29%. Cyclopropenoid acids (as sterculic [HBr-acetic acid in benzene]) = 7%. Chemical composition (after Abdelmuti): Protein (crude) = 3.1% (dry). Fat = 0.5% (dry). Fibre (crude) = 9.2% (dry). Ash (insoluble) = 5.8% (dry).Carbohydrate (soluble): Starch = 15.3% (dry). Sucrose = 19.3% (dry). D-gluose = 0.6% (dry). D-fructose = 5.6% (dry). Amino acids (g [16g N]-1): Aspartic acid = 9.8g. Threonine = 5.2g. Serine = 5.9g. Glutamic acid = 10.1g. Proline = 7.5g. Glycine = 5.5g. Alanine = 5.2g. Valine = 5.2g. Cysteine = 1.3g. Methionine = 1.3g. Isoleucine = 4.2g. Leucine = 6.8g. Tyrosine = 3.3g. Phenylalanine = 4.2g. Lysine = 4.6g. Histidine = 1.6g. Arginine = 4.6g. Minerals: Sulphur = 0.13% (dry). Potassium = 0.06% (dry). Magnesium = 0.14% (dry). Calcium = 0.36% (dry). Na = 0.01% (dry). K = 2.57% (dry). Zinc = 13mg/kg -1 (dry). Iron = 17 mg/kg-1 (dry). Manganese = 8 mg/kg-1 (dry). Copper = 8 mg/kg-1 (dry). Aluminium = 10 mg/kg-1 (dry).

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Anaipuli, Baobaba, Baobaza, Baovola, Bebaque, Bedom-hal, Beke, Bin, Bocko, Boe, Bokki, Bokchi, Boki, Bokki, Boko, Bozo, Brungal, Bu baak, Bubak, Bu hibab, Bui, Bu kona, Burungule-burunque, Burungule, Buy, Cabaceira, Calabacera, Cito, Cork tree, Divuyu, Diyal kuka, Diza, Dunydud, Dungwol, Ethiopian sour gourd, Foku, Ganyen kuka, Gonglaise, Gorahk amli, Gorak amli, Gorakg imli, Gorakh chinch, Guy, Hahar, Hou mian bao shu, Howeira, Humar, Humeira, Isimuhu, Kiamba, Kiri, Koo nya, Kotolaxa, Kpassa, Kremertartboom, Kremetart, Kuka, Late, Luru, Magimavu, Majanu ya nbuyu, Malambe Markion, Masera, Mauyu, Mayuy, Mbak, Mbuye, Mbuyu, Mlambe, Mlonje, Mmowana, Mnamba, Mnambe, Momret, Monkey Bread Tree, Moutonmu, Mowana, Mramba, Muamba, Muana, Mubuyu, Mucua, Muhuyu, Mu-ramba, Muru, Muuyu, Muvuhuya, Mvamba, Ng'wandu, Nkondo, Obobo, Odadie, Olmisera, Osche, Ose, Otche, Pain de singe, Shimuwu, Sira, Sito, Sonmon, Sour gourd, Tebeldi, Titookanti, Toeega, Tohega, Tsongoro, Tua, Twege, Uato, Umkhomo, Umkomo, Umshimulu, Yaaq, Zuony

References (164)

• ABDELMUTI,
• Achigan-Dako, E. G., et al, (Eds.), 2010, Traditional vegetables in Benin. Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin. Imprimeries du CENAP, Cotonou.
• Adubiaro, H. O., et al, 2011, Chemical composition, Calcium, Zinc and Phytate Interrekationships in Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Seed Flour. Advance Journal of Food Science and Technology 3(4): 2280232
• Akinnifesi, F. K., et al, 2006, Towards the development of Miombo fruit trees as commercial crops in Southern Africa. Forests, Trees and Livelihoods. Vol. 16 pp 1-3-121
• Allen, D. J., 2007, Wildflowers and Common Trees of East Africa. Camerapix Publishers p 54

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