Adansonia grandidieri

Adansonia grandidieri

Family: Malvaceae

Common names: Giant Boabab, Grandidier’s Baobab

It is a deciduous tree usually growing up to 25 metres tall, though stunted plants in the south of its range are sometimes only 5 metres tall. It has a massive, cylindrical bole that can be 3 – 5 metres in diameter and serves to store water for times of drought; the bole is topped by a sparse, few-branched, flat-topped, light crown. This is the most valuable and most widely exploited of all baobab species in Madagascar. It provides edible fruits and oil-rich seeds as well as being a source of fibre and material for thatching. It is only used locally, though the oil obtained from the seeds is of very good quality and has, in the past, been exported to Europe.

Sowing instructions: Sow seeds in summer in a well drained medium.

Locality: Belobaka Madagascar. Harvest: February 2025