Baobab (Adansonia)

If you have seen the Lord of the Rings, then you are familiar with this tree. Decidedly prehistoric in appearance, the Adansonia is the genus of which 8 species exist, all of which it can be distinguished by their peculiar swollen trunk. The picture below does not do full justice to the girth of its trunk. I have not seen many in Chennai - This one is, i think, the Adansonia digitata. It is native to Africa, and is rather widespread there. Of the other species, one is native to Australia and all others to Madagascar. Plenty of reason to visit Madagascar, isnt it?!


Here is a young Baobab: