**4. Baobab (***Adansonia digitata***)**

#### **4.1 Description**

Baobab *(A. digitata* Linn.) is a deciduous tree of the family Bombacaceae [87]. It grows up to 20 to 30 m tall with a diameter of 2–10 m at adult age. The trunk is soft, it has vast girth, reddish brown to gray smooth bark and possesses fibers used in making rope and fish net [88]. The plant produces numerous branches, the lateral root system can be up to 50 m from the trunk (see **Figures 7** and **8**). The root end is tubular while the taproot of the tree is shallow which does not grow beyond 2 m depth making them susceptible to storms [88]. The mature tree begins each season with the production of simple leaves having 2 or 3 leaflets. The plant produces white, large, pendulous flowers, and they appeared singly or paired in the leaf axils. The plant bears flower towards the end of dry or prior to the commencement of rains usually after shedding of leaves [89]. The fruit possesses outer shell, pulp and seeds (see **Figure 9**). The life span of baobab trees ranges from 200 to 300 years and some can live beyond 1000 years [89]. *A. digitata* has numerous uses, hence the name 'tree of life and small

**Figure 7.** *Baobab plants at 4 months after transplanting.*

**Figure 8.** *Baobab plants pruned after 6 months of transplanting.*

pharmacy' as a results of its benefits including food, clothing, medicine, protection, fiber, seeds, leaves and roots [90].
