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A Large Succulent.

siris

By siris

25 comments


Would you believe it……..

called The Tree of Life, a Baobab tree is actually a succulent, having no wood in its make-up only fibrous tissue that retains water.
The leaves can apparently be eaten. The fruit, which drys hard on the tree can be harvested and made into an edible power rich in vitamin C, calcium and fibre. The nutrient content makes it an ancient Super Food.
This (Adansonia digitata) is one of two species which is indigenous to South Africa.
This particular specimen is said to be over 2 thousand years old.
South Africa, which we have just visited, is at present suffering a severe water shortage. We halted for a coffee stop beside this tree, on one of our game drives. Our guide invited us to knock on the trunk, it’s smooth and hard as concrete.

The branch on the left, which has reached the ground will penetrate the earth and after rains in 2 or 3 years can root. Now that’s what I call layering!

If you look carefully at the above pic, you can just see young green fruits developing. The flowers apparently are quite spectacular.

This tree has survived to this age as it is in a game reserve, and protected from being destroyed by these animals stripping it, looking for water.

This elephant was photographed in Kruger, where the numbers are destroying the vegetation, during the current drought.

For those of you who like Elephants here are some more…

For Stera…A family with youngsters

Pam….Would’nt want to mess with this family!

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Comments

 

That's fascinating :)

I didn't know that was the Tree of Life. I know that olive baboons like to climb in them, but only because I've been playing Zoo Tycoon! :D

I wonder if health shops sell the powder. It would be interesting to try some.

15 Nov, 2017

 

Awesome pictures - I love elephants. Thanks for posting.

15 Nov, 2017

 

Thank you both. It was a wonderful holiday. There will be more plants and animals to show as I get around to posting them.
Baboons can be aggressive, have the most enormous teeth, best to be avoided. Why climb a tree when you can rob a tourist?

16 Nov, 2017

 

Barry told me all about it. The ten-minute lecture. He is such a clever clogs. Hope you are having a wonderful time.

16 Nov, 2017

 

Oh wow! I didn't know that about baboons!

16 Nov, 2017

 

That must have been the trip of a lifetime Siris! I do love elephants, especially seeing the whole family guarding the little ones! And how fantastic to actually see an ancient baobab!

16 Nov, 2017

 

For you folks who like elephants I am going to add some more to the end of the Baobab blog, lol.

16 Nov, 2017

 

That tree is unforgettable! It looks mythological!

16 Nov, 2017

 

Ahhh! Thank you Siris.The care the adults take of the babies is very beautiful to see. I remember seeing the first baby at Chester Zoo many many years ago, and it was surrounded by a group of adoring aunties as well as Mum. In the wild when the herd is threatened the adults make a circle with the littlies inside.There are some great videos on line of herds with little babies.

16 Nov, 2017

 

Stera, I took some video, from this escarpment, of about 30 elephants walking along this river bed looking for the remaining pools of water. They then started digging in the sand to get down to the fresher underground water. Now, Nov onwards should be the start of the rainy season.

17 Nov, 2017

 

Lovely images. Thank you, Siris. I didn't know much about the Baobab tree so I had to Google for info. Seems
the trunk can hold up to 4500 litres of fresh water, which is enough for 100 showers or 10,000 glasses of water. Amazing!

Found this interesting:

QUOTE: Nutrition

This versatile tree has long been used for medicinal purposes by Africans across the continent. It is also famed for its incredible nutritional properties, much like the moringa, it is a superfood that deserves the name!

– It has five times the magnesium of avocados
– Four times the potassium of bananas
– Twice the calcium of milk
– Twice the antioxidants of acai berries, and more than any other fruit
– Six times the vitamin C of oranges
– Ten times the fibre of apples
UNQUOTE

Anyone know which part of the tree is used? The fruit? The bark? The leaves?
Just checked! Seems every part of the tree is valuable. Now onder it is known as the Tree of life.

17 Nov, 2017

 

Thanks for the extra pics siris. Its like getting an extra slice of apple pie for dessert. ;)

17 Nov, 2017

 

An extra helping of elephant, Bathgate.

17 Nov, 2017

 

LOL! good one!

17 Nov, 2017

 

Siris I bet you enjoy that video over and over! Thanks for the info about the baobab - absolutely amazing!

17 Nov, 2017

 

its a WOW from me ....

Gg

19 Nov, 2017

 

And from me, fascinating information re the tree and it's medicinal properties, can you actually buy powder/tablets? I wonder..
So pleased the holiday turned out to be a good one Siris, you will have to show us the pics, next time we meet, btw I luuuuuuve the elephant photos! looking forward to more of the same....

19 Nov, 2017

 

I've been fascinated by baobabs since the first time I read "The Little Prince"... funny things..they look like they've been stuck in the ground upside down! I didn't realize that they were actually succulents.
Enjoyed the blog, Siris. I've only seen elephants at the circus. Would love to see them in the wild...
Can you imagine the injury those baboons could do with their teeth? I wouldn't need to be told twice, either! they're known for their mendacity. They look so cuddly but will take a chunk out of you.
Looks like it was a great vacation... looking forward to some more.

19 Nov, 2017

 

Thanks Lori, a smashing holiday, I'm still looking back at my photos with regret that it's over.

21 Nov, 2017

 

Thankyou so much Siris, I found this blog fascinating, especially The Tree of Life, I've read about it but didn't remember the proper name, did not know it was actually a succulent though, no wonder the elephants and other animals want to eat them, all that goodness in one place and with the lack of water you can't blame them can you.
Lovely photo's as well, pleased you enjoyed your holiday, sounds to me like the trip of a lifetime.

22 Nov, 2017

 

Having grown this species, Siris, I can tell you that it actually does have tough, elastic wood in it, but arranged more as a series of radial bands around the water holding pith, and surrounded by more water holding cortex--unlike the solid cylinders of temperate zone trees.

26 Nov, 2017

 

Is it a very ancient kind of tree? It has a primitive look about it doesn't it?

26 Nov, 2017

 

Not super ancient. It's sort of a third cousin of Hibiscus.

27 Nov, 2017

 

I didn't realise you lived in such an arid part of your country, Tugbrethii. Thanks for the additional info, although I won't be growing a Baobab, not enough space or time.

29 Nov, 2017

 

Gosh Tug, who would have thought it! It would be interesting ot see one flowering.

29 Nov, 2017

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