Common Name:

General Information

Adansonia za is a deciduous tree with a sparse, rounded crown; usually growing up to 30 metres tall but sometimes stunted and no more than 5 metres tall. The bole, which can be up to 6 metres in diameter, is usually cylindrical or slightly tapering, often with irregular swellings[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fibre. It has been suggested as a possible commercial root crop.
The abundance and wide range of this species ensures that it is relatively safe. However, several subpopulations are threatened with forest clearance and, given the long generation time of the baobab and the dramatic habitat loss that has occurred in the past, the species may be more vulnerable. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Madagascar.

Habitat

Dry deciduous forest, spiny forest, savannahs, and scrubland at elevations up to 800 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Moths
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position in a moist, well-drained soil[]. Established plants are drought tolerant.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The subglobose, oblong or ovoid fruit is 10 - 30cm long, 6 - 15cm wide, rarely curved[].

Seed[]. Rich in oil[].

The root of seedling plants can be eaten as a vegetable[]. Of good quality[].

Medicinal

The flowers are used to treat a sore throat[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is used to make cloth and cordage[].

The bole is sometimes hollowed out to make a cistern for storing water[].

Propagation

Seed - germination rates for the untreated seeds is usually less than 10%[]. The hard seedcoat may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.

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