Madagascar boabab
Adansonia madagascariensis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. The trunk is cylinder shaped and covered with reddish bark. The branches are short. The flowers are large. They are 15 cm long. They are white with hairs petals and sepals. The fruit are round and yellow. They have a reddish pulp. The seeds are kidney shaped.

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 Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Madagascar (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The flesh of the fruit is used for drinks. The seeds are used for cooking oil The sap from cuts in the bark has an agreeable flavour.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, sap, seeds - oil, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bontana, Bontona, Bozy

Synonyms

Adansonia bernieri Baillon ex Poiss.; Baobabus madagascariensis (Baill.) Kuntze;