Bottle Tree, Australian Boabab
Adansonia gregorii

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A large spreading tree. It grows to 15 m high. It loses its leaves in the dry season. The branches are thick and come from the top an an immense swollen trunk. The trunk can be 20 m around. The bark of the tree is smooth and grey-brown. The leaves are alternate and compound. They are deeply divided into 5-9 leaflets. The leaflet blade is 5-13 cm long by 2-3.5 cm wide. The leaves are dark green on top and pale underneath. The tip of the leaf is pointed. The flowers are large and cream. They have a scent. The petals are large and fleshy. The flowers are 8-12 cm by 10 cm. The fruit is a hairy oval woody capsule. It is 15-25 cm long by 10-20 cm wide. Inside there are many dark kidney shaped seeds. The seed are in a mealy pith.

There are 6-8 Adansonia species. Also put in the family Bombacaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is native to Australia. It occurs in stony country in dry regions. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Europe, India, Slovenia, Spain

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten raw or roasted. The pith of the young fruit is eaten roasted. Sap from the trunk and branches may be eaten. It is dissolved in water to make a drink. The pith from the trunk and branches can be eaten after boiling.

It is grown commercially in Spain as a source of cream of tartar.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves, sap, pith, nuts, roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Trees live for a long time. Flowering occurs in October to December and fruiting in January to April.

Its other names

Local names

Boabab, Cream of tartar tree, Djungeri, Jamulang, Largarda, Largida

Synonyms

Adansonia gibbosa (A. Cunn.) Guymer ex D. A. Baum; Adansonia gregorii f. globosa Ostenf.; Adansonia rupestris Kent; Adansonia stanburyana Hochr.; Baobabus gregorii (F. Muell.) Kuntze; Capparis gibbosa A. Cunn.;