Adansonia
Genus of baobab trees, long-lived and ecologically significant.
Adansonia is a genus of medium-to-large deciduous trees known as baobabs, native to Africa, Australia, and Madagascar, with introduced populations in other regions such as Barbados and Asia. The genus is named after the French naturalist Michel Adanson, who provided the first detailed botanical description and illustrations of Adansonia digitata. Baobabs are among the longest-lived vascular plants and are notable for their large flowers that open rapidly at dusk and are reproductive for a maximum of 15 hours, as well as their large, berry-like fruit containing kidney-shaped seeds in a dry pulp.
- field
- Botany
- known_for
- Baobab trees, also called 'upside down tree'
- native_regions
- Africa, Australia, Madagascar
- number_of_species
- Eight accepted species (as of July 2020)
- type_species
- Adansonia digitata
Lore & Background
The earliest written reports of baobab come from a 14th-century travelogue by the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta. The genus is divided into three sections: Section Adansonia (only A. digitata, with hanging flowers and fruit), Section Brevitubae (A. grandidieri and A. suarexensis), and Section Longitubae (the remaining species). A ninth species, Adansonia kilima, was described in 2012 but is no longer recognized as distinct.
Reader's Guide
Adansonia, or baobab, holds significance as a distinctive genus of long-lived deciduous trees with massive trunks, palmately compound leaves, and large flowers that open rapidly at dusk. The trees are known for their bottle-shaped trunks, which may store water, and their fibrous wood arranged in concentric rings that do not always form annually. Baobabs are ecologically important in their native regions of Africa, Australia, and Madagascar, with six species endemic to Madagascar. The genus originated in Madagascar according to genomic and ecological analysis. In the early 21st century, baobabs in southern Africa began dying off rapidly and mysteriously, with mass dehydration speculated as a possible cause. The fruit is a distinguishing feature, with a dry, hard outer shell and kidney-shaped seeds set in dry pulp. The closest living relatives are South American genera within the subfamily Bombacoideae.
Did You Know?
- Baobab flowers open around dusk with movement detectable by the naked eye and are reproductive for a maximum of 15 hours.
- The generic name Adansonia honors Michel Adanson, who provided the first detailed botanical description and illustrations of Adansonia digitata.
- Baobabs are among the longest-lived of vascular plants.
- In the early 21st century, baobabs in southern Africa began dying off rapidly and mysteriously, with mass dehydration speculated as a possible cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Adansonia?
Adansonia is a genus of medium-to-large deciduous trees commonly known as baobabs. They are among the longest-lived vascular plants on Earth and play a major ecological role in their native habitats.
Why are baobabs nicknamed 'upside down trees'?
The nickname comes from their massive, largely branchless trunks topped by thin, spreading limbs, giving the impression that the tree is rooted upside down. This striking silhouette is one of the most instantly recognizable features of the genus.
How many species of baobab are there?
As of July 2020, eight species are formally accepted within the genus. They are native to Africa, Australia, and Madagascar, with some introduced populations in places like Barbados and parts of Asia.
Who is the genus Adansonia named after?
The name honors French naturalist Michel Adanson, who produced the first detailed botanical description and illustrations of Adansonia digitata. His work became the foundation for the modern classification of the genus.
What is special about baobab flowers?
Baobab blooms open rapidly at dusk and stay reproductively viable for at most about 15 hours, making their pollination window remarkably brief. The large flowers are followed by berry-like fruit that holds kidney-shaped seeds within a dry pulp.
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