James Burghardt
Family
Bombacaceae
Botanical Name
ADANSONIA digitata
Plant Common Name
Baobab, Dead Rat Tree
General Description
With a flared, muscular trunk and architectural, stubby branches, the baobab is a tree to admire in spacious landscapes. A slow-growing, deciduous tropical tree native to southern Sub-Saharan Africa, this succulent tree is characterized by a swollen trunk that often becomes hollow in order to store rainfall for sustenance. Interestingly, the wood of baobab is relatively soft and spongy and does not produce age rings, even though considered one of the longest-lived tree species on earth.
The medium to olive-green leaves are compound, like a hand, with five to nine oblong leaflets. The leaves readily drop away in drought or excessive winter chill, only to return after spring rains. In only the warmest and moistest of climates will this tree be only briefly deciduous. On late spring and summer nights (or the start of the rainy season) it bears fragrant, creamy-white, pendulous flowers that are pollinated by hawk moths and mouse lemurs. Blossoms are later followed by velvety brown, woody fruits that are sometimes called "hanging dead rats", especially when viewed from leafless branches.
Baobab is exceedingly drought tolerant but will grow under wetter conditions only if the soil is well drained. Give it a full sun exposure and ample space to slowly reach it finest stature. This plant may be grown as a specimen shade tree in tropical or desert gardens that are frost-free, as a potted plant when young, or for bonsai. It is easy to propagate from seed, although slow to germinate.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 14
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Tree
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
-
Height
60'-70' / 18.3m - 21.3m
-
Width
50'-80' / 15.2m - 24.4m
-
Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
-
Native To
Middle Africa, Southern Africa, Madagascar
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
-
Growth Rate
Very Slow
-
Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
-
Habit
Upright/Erect
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White, Ivory
-
Fruit Color
Brown
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
-
Bark Color
Tan, Sandy Brown
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
Yes
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
Yes
