The Baobab

The Baobab

The Lands of Africa Africa has large, sandy deserts. It has thick, dark jungles. It also has open, grassy plains. The plains, known as the African savanna, are not just made up of grass, however. Strange, ancient trees grow there, too. They are called baobabs. These “ trees of life" have helped the people and other animals of the savanna for thousands of years.

Giants of the Savanna Finding a baobab is easy. These trees rise high above the flat plains. A full-grown baobab can be 18 meters (59 ft. ) tall. That's taller than a five-story building!

Baobab trees have thick, barrel- shaped trunks. The oldest trees have trunks that are 9 meters (30 ft. ) across. Like barrels, the trunks hold a lot of water. This is important because the savanna is a dry place. Being able to store water helps baobabs survive in the savanna. Baobabs also have strange branches. Their branches spread out like roots. When a baobab sheds its leaves, the tree looks as if it is upside down!

The Baobab's Gifts The wildlife and people of the savanna get many things from the baobab. The tree's soft wood is filled with water. The leafy branches give cool shade from the hot Sun.

Bats drink sweet nectar from the tree's white flowers. The flowers grow into fruit. The fruit bakes in the sun and dries. Its green coating turns into a hard shell. Then it is picked by hand.