Giant boabab
Adansonia grandidieri
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A large deciduous tree. It grows 30 m tall. It has a very large pole like trunk. It has only a few, short, stubby branches. It is bare of leaves for most of the year. It develops leaves during times of rain. The leaves have 5 small leaflets which are wavy at the edges. The flowers are small, erect and white. The seeds are large and oily.
The seeds contain 37 % edible oil but this oil contains fatty acids which should not be eaten in large quantities. There are 6-8 Adansonia species. Also put in the family Bombacaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.
Where it is found
It only grows naturally in western Madagascar. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Indochina, Madagascar, SE Asia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The young leaves and fruit are eaten. The fruit pulp and seeds are eaten fresh. A cooking oil is extracted from the seeds.
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds, fruit, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds.
Early growth is fast.
Its other names
Local names
Bao-bap, Baobab malgache, Grandidier's boabab, Renala, Reniala, Renibeala