Baobab

Baobab (Adansonia za) and rainbow. Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR
Flowers between November and June
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: West of Fort Dauphin up to Analalava. Prefers calcareous soils and is the only species in the spiny forest on limestone of the Mahafaly Plateau in the deep south.
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
There are eight baobab species in the world. 6 are endemic to Madagascar, one from Africa and one from Australia. Baobabs probably evolved in Madagascar after Gondwanaland split and the Africa and Australian species must have arisen from colonising fruits floating across the Indian Ocean. In Madagascar the 6 species have evolved to fit their own niche within the dry forest zones. The 7th (African) species was introduced by Arab traders and is planted in some of the town in the north west.They are dryland plants and are 'drought survivors' and are able to store water from a sporadic downpour very efficiently within the soft, porous wood of their big, fat trunks. They are quite fire resistant.

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Filename: MA4777_Baobab.jpg
Copyright: Pete Oxford
Image Size: 5510x3660 / 12.8MB; Adansonia za Baobab Berenty Reserve Drought Drought resistant Dry deciduous forest Endemic Fat Fire resistant Flower Large Madagascar Rainbow Water storage Xerophytic spiny forest
Contained in galleries: Portfolio 3, Madagascar Insects & Plants

Baobab (Adansonia za) and rainbow. Berenty Reserve, Southern MADAGASCAR<br />
Flowers between November and June<br />
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION: West of Fort Dauphin up to Analalava. Prefers calcareous soils and is the only species in the spiny forest on limestone of the Mahafaly Plateau in the deep south.<br />
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR<br />
There are eight baobab species in the world. 6 are endemic to Madagascar, one from Africa and one from Australia. Baobabs probably evolved in Madagascar after Gondwanaland split and the Africa and Australian species must have arisen from colonising fruits floating across the Indian Ocean. In Madagascar the 6 species have evolved to fit their own niche within the dry forest zones. The 7th (African) species was introduced by Arab traders and is planted in some of the town in the north west.They are dryland plants and are 'drought survivors' and are able to store water from a sporadic downpour very efficiently within the soft, porous wood of their big, fat trunks. They are quite fire resistant.