ADANSONIA digitata

Common Name: Monkey-bread Boabab

Native to Africa, typically found in the dry, hot sub-Saharan savannahs where their presence indicates a source of water. Grows 5 to 25 m high and the bottle-shaped trunk can grow 10 to 14 m diameter. Deciduous through winter, white, pendulous flowers appear early summer, 12 cm across, opening late afternoon and only staying open for one night. Specimens have been documented as old as 2450 years. A traditional food plant in Africa – fruit pulp is either eaten fresh or dissolved into a drink, leaves are made into relish or powdered for adding to cooking.