New Delhi: If we say ‘Adansonia digitata’, does that ring any bell? No? Well, what about African baobab? To those with even a scant knowledge of flora and fauna, this name is bound to sound familiar. With the scientific name of ‘Adansonia digitata’, the magnificent baobab tree is an icon of the continent of Africa. Its fruit and bark offers more than 300 life-sustaining use and the tree leads to several Indigenous remedies. Due to immense importance in the continent, baobab tree has found a permanent place in the folklore and traditions of Africa. Hence, it is also known as ‘The Tree of Life.’
An origin steeped in legend
In the African culture, the origin of baobab itself is steeped in history, showing the importance of the tree in the heritage of the continent. There are some tribes along the Zambezi River who believed that their god became angry one day, uprooted the baobab tree from the ground and tossed it up into the air, which is why the tree looks like something inverted. There is another legend which states that once, God gifted baobab to a hyena which was repelled by the unusual exterior of the tree and the animal shoved it to the ground upturned.
The resilience of the solitary trees
The baobab is a remarkable specimen which can be 100 feet tall with a maximum circumference of 165 feet. These solitary trees can live as long as 3,000 years and can be incredibly resilient. They thrive in dry, open areas like southern Africa’s savannas and western Madagascar. The trees store huge amount of water in their trunks.
The ‘Tree of Life’ in the African continent
These enormous trees play an important role in the African ecosystem by providing shelter, food, and water for various life forms. The trees have formed the centre of the communities of the Indigenous African savanna people. Thanks to their massive roots, the baobab trees help to keep the soil humid, aid nutrient recycling, and slow soil erosion.
In a climate where little else can thrive, the baobab tree acts as a symbol of life. During the rainy season, the tree stores water in its massive trunk. It produces fruit which can grow up to a foot long. Its pulpy interior has plenty of seeds and nutrients, including tartaric acid, a natural antioxidant, and plenty of Vitamin C. The tree provides shelter and water to hundreds of animals including birds, monkeys, lizards, and also elephants which eat their bark when there is a lack of water nearby. Bats pollinate the flowers, feeding on their nectar.
Not just the animals, but humans are also dependent on the baobab tree. They eat the fruit’s pulp and soak it in water to prepare a refreshing drink. People also roast and grind the seeds of its fruits to produce a coffee-like beverage, or boil the leaves and eat them like spinach. The leaves have plenty of potassium and magnesium and also used in traditional medicine for treating illnesses like asthma and insect bites. The bark of the tree is used to prepare plenty of things, from paper, cloth to ropes, baskets, and also for musical instrument strings and waterproof hats. Thus, the baobab tree is not only essential to a wide variety of animals but also to human beings, earning it the nickname ‘The Tree of Life.’
The baobab, also known as the Tree of Life, is a vital part of African culture and ecology. Its massive trunk stores water, sustaining life in arid climates. The baobab provides food, medicine, and materials for tools and shelter. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
