The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Baobab tree
Afrikaans name: Kremetartboom
Baobab tree
Photo © AndreasEdelmann - Fotolia.com
Adansonia digitata
Did you know that Africa has two species of Baobab tree and Madagascar has six species? Did you realise that Australia has a species of Baobab tree?
It is often said that the Baobab tree grows upsidedown as its branches resemble roots sticking up into the air.
It has been estimated that a Baobab tree can live for over 1000 years.
The fruit of the Baobab is rich in antioxidants and calcium. The leaves are also eaten.
One Baobab tree in Limpopo Province had a circumference of 47 metres! They can grow to a height of 30 metres.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
What Tree is That? - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1967 - Page: 1Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 78
Succulents of South Africa - Author: E. Van Jaarsveld, B. Van Wyk and G. Smith - Published: 2000 - Page: 133
Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 705
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 42
Succulents of South Africa - Author: E. Van Jaarsveld, B. Van Wyk and G. Smith - Published: 2000 - Page: 131
Sappi Tree Spotting: Lowveld - Author: Jacana - Published: 1997 - Page: 26
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 391
Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1999 - Page: 14
Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2013 - Page: 88
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 245
Piet van Wyks Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 1st edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 1988 - Page: 159
Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 78
Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa - Author: Gideon Smith & Neil Crouch - Published: 2009 - Page: 57
Kruger - Portrait of a National Park - Author: David Paynter with Wilf Nussey - Published: 1986 - Page: 24
Field guide to Succulents of Southern Africa - Author: Gideon Smith & Neil Crouch - Published: 2017 - Page: 217
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 260
Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 5th edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2008 - Page: 159
Adventure Trails in Kirstenbosch - Author: Daphne Mackie - Published: 2012 - Page: 12
Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 70
Adventure Trails in Kirstenbosch - Author: Daphne Mackie - Published: 2012 - Page: 11
A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Published: 2017 - Page: 76
A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Published: 2017 - Page: 80
A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 234