Adansonia digitata

African baobab
Mature, flowering tree in Tanzania
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Genus:	Adansonia
Species:	A. digitata
Binomial name
Adansonia digitata L.
Synonyms[1]
Adansonia bahobab L. Adansonia baobab Gaertn. Adansonia integrifolia Raf. Adansonia kilima Pettigrew, K.L.Bell, Bhagw., Grinan, Jillani, Jean Mey., Wab Adansonia scutula Steud. Syno Adansonia situla (Lour.) Spreng. Adansonia somalensis Chiov. Adansonia sphaerocarpa A.Chev. Adansonia sulcata A.Chev. Baobabus digitata (L.) Kuntze Ophelus sitularius Lour.

Adansonia digitata, the African baobab, is the most widespread tree species of the genus Adansonia, the baobabs, and is native to the African continent and the southern Arabian Peninsula (Yemen, Oman). These are long-lived pachycauls; radiocarbon dating has shown some individuals to be over 2,000 years old. They are typically found in dry, hot savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, where they dominate the landscape and reveal the presence of a watercourse from afar. They have traditionally been valued as sources of food, water, health remedies or places of shelter and are a key food source for many animals. They are steeped in legend and superstition. In recent years, many of the largest, oldest trees have died, for unknown reasons. Common names for the baobab include monkey-bread tree, upside-down tree, and cream of tartar tree.