Adansonia gregorii

	Family:	Bombacaceae
	Distribution:	North-western Australia.
	Common Name:	Boab or Baobab.
	Derivation of Name:	Adansonia; After M.Adanson, a French naturalist. gregorii; After the explorer, A.C.Gregory.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

Adansonia is a genus of about 12 species, principally found in Africa. They are generally small to large trees with a very distinctive shape comprising a broad, swollen trunk. The appearance is almost of a tree growing upside down with the branches as the roots!

Adansonia gregorii Photo: Aussie Outback Tours

A.gregorii is the only Australian species and is not often seen in cultivation as it is unsuited to southern Australia. It is a small, spreading tree to about 12 metres with compound leaves comprising about 8 or 9 leaflets. The leaves are shed completely during drought periods. The white flowers are large and perfumed and usually occur during the tropical wet season although flowers may be seen at any time of the year. The oval shaped fruit is up to 180 mm long and contains numerous seeds.

The boab is best suited to cultivation in tropical climates where it requires well drained soils.

Propagation is from seed which germinates readily when fresh.

Flowers of Adansonia gregorii Photo: Michael Tutt

The hollow trunk of one famous boab tree in north Western Australia was used as a prison during the 19th century Photo: Aussie Outback Tours