African Baobab
Species of baobab tree grow in the savannas of African and India, principally around the equator. The tree can grow up to 25 metres tall and can live for several thousand years. It is leafless for nine months of the year. The bark, leaves, fruit, and trunk all have uses. The bark of the baobab is used for cloth and rope, the leaves can be used fresh or dried as vegetables and as forage, for condiments or medicines. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, contains cream of tartar and tastes of sherbet. It is sometimes called "monkey bread", is eaten and can also be used to prepare beverages. The tree is fire resistant and can survive severe droughts, it is easy and cheap to cultivate and free from any serious pests and diseases. It provides shade and protects the soil against erosion. Sometimes people even live inside of the huge trunks. Because of its extraordinary shape there are many legends about the baobab, most of them based on the fact that the tree looks as if it has been planted upside down (hence one of its common names).
Size: 5278px × 3510px
Location: Lochinvar National Park, Zambia
Photo credit: © Alistair Scott / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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