The Baobab tree
editDescription The Baobab tree is a fat tree with a swollen trunk and it’s about 10-15m in height. Its bark is smooth and folded. Its flowers are large, showy, pendulous in shape and white in colour. Its fruit are ovoid to elliptic in shape and about 120mm long, with a hard woody shell, densely covered with yellowish grey hairs. The seeds are numerous, embedded in a white powdery pulp. The Baobab tree does not require too much water or to be watered on a daily bases. It only depends on rain water and survives for hundreds of years.
Where it normally occurs The Baobab tree occurs at low altitudes in hot dry bushveld. It is found in regions like: Caprivi, Kunene and Kavango. In Caprivi they are mainly found alongside the roads. The importance of the Baobab Tree The Baobab tree is important, because it has both economic and ecological values. Each part of the tree has its purpose(s)/use(s).
Economic values 1. The bark yields an excellent fibre: is used for making floor mats and other woven articles. 2. Young leaves are cooked as a green vegetable 3. The seeds are used to make a good coffee substitute when roasted. 4. The white powdery pulp surrounding the seeds is rich in vitamin C and is used to make refreshing drink when mixed with water or milk. 5. Roots are cut and used to supply water. 6. The bark and other parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine. 7. The fruit of the Baobab tree is also food for the Elephants.
Ecological values 1. Small and big animals use the Baobab tree for shelter and for some the tree is their home. 2. Its roots help to protect the soil and prevent soil erosion by holding the soil particles together. 3. For some people they regard the tree as the safest place to run or go to when one is in danger. 4. Some people turn the tree into a house or build public toilets inside the tree itself.