Sunday, February 24, 2008

Sunset on a Baobab tree

Baobab is the common name of a genus (Adansonia) containing eight species of trees, native to Madagascar (the centre of diversity, with six species), mainland Africa and Australia (one species in each). The mainland African species also occurs on Madagascar, but it is not a native of that country. Other common names include boab, boaboa, bottle tree and monkey bread tree. The species reach heights of between 5–25 m, 10-80ft (exceptionally 30 m, 100ft) tall, and up to 7 m, 23ft (exceptionally 11 m, 36ft) in trunk diameter. They are noted for storing water inside the swollen trunk, with the capacity to store up to 120,000 litres, 32,000 US gallons, of water to endure the harsh drought conditions particular to each region.

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baobab

1 comment:

Petal said...

Just browsed some pics of the Baobab for a painting I plan. Got to your page & thought I 'd just say thankyou for a really great African sunset pic. I live in Pahalaborwa at the gates to Kruger Natonal Park.... soe, ek steer groete van Suid Afrika uit
Bev Barrett