A Christmas holiday with chums down on the South Mombasa coast, and one very sturdy baobab, Adansonia digitata. It’s a tree with many surprising properties: a drought tolerant soft wood that is also fire resistant. It may also live for up to 3,000 years and grow an astonishing 25 metres in girth. The fibrous bark stores water and provides emergency dry season fodder for elephants and elands. Humans also work the fibre to make ropes, twine for basket making and cloth.
Baobabs are leafless for most of the year, which doubtless gave rise to the many traditional tales of an upside-down tree with its roots in the air (planted by creator, or the devil, or hyenas who are always getting things badly wrong). When they do happen, the leaves are large and finger-like and villagers harvest them as vegetables. In the flowering season the branches hang in fleshy cream flowers that only open at night, smell somewhat foetid and are pollinated by bats and bushbabies. The resulting fruits – large woody capsules – contain seeds that are eaten by wild and domestic grazers alike, while the white, cream of tartar like pulp that surrounds them is a good source of vitamin C and used in juices and beer-making.
One of my best African treasures is a Kenyan kiondo bag made in the traditional way from baobab fibre. These days the baskets are more commonly woven from sisal cord. Either way you can see how they are made at an earlier post HERE.
Tish Farrell 
what an extraordinary tree
They always seem rather unbelievable even when you’re with them. I would love to see the soaring Madagascan versions in person. Not at all likely however.
We need that flying carpet!
I have always thought these trees very interesting but had no idea there are so many uses. Guess I should have look in to it better.
As to uses, I only scratched the surface, Beverly. They are a true cornucopia tree.
That has got to be the most interesting tree I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen your pictures (and a few others) before, but I’m still amazed. It really does look “upside down.” Or maybe it’s US who are upside down?
They are quite amazing trees. There’s an area of southern Kenya towards the Tsavo game reserves where the baobabs are scattered across the terrain and look for all the world like an orchard, or piece of planted parkland. One immediately starts thinking of Tolkein’s missing Ent wives. Maybe they left Middle Earth for Africa.
Thanks for all the information on this wonderful tree. Your baobab tree fiber bag is a treasure.
I love that bag, Rebecca. Even after years in the UK, it still has a scent of Africa.
Wonderful, meaningful momento. I like to think of the weavers who hand crafted the textiles we have at home from Mexico and the north of Chile. I feel surrounded by loving care.
The power of ‘making’!
What an amazing tree, Tish. I can see why people felt it was planted upside down. Dratted hyenas just can’t get anything right!! I can see why you love the bag.
Thanks, Janet.
Amazing, indeed! Thank you for the info, Tish. Love the bag. 🙂
Thanks, Amy. I do wonder who made the kiondo. In fact I’m suddenly thinking that it might be quite old, and that someone simply put new leather handles on it.
Few things as impressive in Africa’s wild places as the mighty baobab!
The certainly have great presence, Dries. You can well see why traditional beliefs and stories accord them all manner of supernatural associations.
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Thanks, Pete.
That’s huge!
It is!