Fony boabab
Adansonia fony var. rubrostipa

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20 m tall. The trunk is a bottle shape. It is constricted between the branches. The leaves are compound and have 3-5 leaflets spread out like fingers on a hand. The leaflets are 3-7 cm long. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. The flowers are bright yellow. The fruit is a large fattened berry. It has dense brown hairs. There are many seeds.

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

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. In Madagascar it grows in dry forest up to 500 m altitude. It is often on well-drained limestone soils. In Cairns Botanical gardens. In Brisbane Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, East Africa, Madagascar (country/location of origin), Slovenia, USA

How it is used for food

Fruit are sometimes sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, seeds - oil, roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. The seeds germinate irregularly.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Adansonia fony Baill. ex H. Perrier; Adansonia rubrostipa Jum. & H. Perrier;