Adansonia

9 species Malvaceae

Morphological Summary

Genus of monumental trees known as baobabs, belonging to the Malvaceae family. Comprises 9 species: one in continental Africa, one in Australia, and seven endemic to Madagascar. They are famous for their enormous, barrel-shaped trunks capable of storing thousands of liters of water, fire-resistant bark, multi-century longevity, and their ecological role as providers of food and shelter for numerous wildlife species.

Distribution Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar (7 endemic species), and northwestern Australia. Introduced in tropical zones as ornamental and production tree.

Conservation Several Madagascar species critically endangered due to deforestation; A. digitata stable across Africa.

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