Gorakhchinch - African Baobab
Adansonia digitata
Summary
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiospermae
Class: Equisetopsida Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae Genus: Adansonia
Species: Adansonia digitata
Scientific Name: Adansonia digitata L.
Common names
English: Bottle Tree, Cream Of Tartar Tree
Hindi: गोरख ईमली Gorakh Imli
Marathi: गोरख चिंच Gorakh Chinch, वावबाब Vavabab
Sanskrit सर्पदण्डि Sarpadandi
Description
Adansonia digitata, the baobab, is the most widespread of the Adansonia species on the African continent, found in the hot, dry savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. It also grows, having spread secondary to cultivation, in populated areas. In India, the tree is found in hot, dry regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
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 some individuals to be over 2,000 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, possibly due to climate change. Common names for the baobab include monkey-bread tree, upside-down tree, and cream of tartar tree.