Baobab
http://www.fotopedia.com/items/bibiweb-dycyIW2B94Y
The boabab is one of the eight species of Adansonia and may be also called by the names; boab, boaboa, tabaldi, bottle, upside-down tree and even monkey bread tree.
The height of a baobab tree can range from 5 metres tall to a huge 30 metres and the usual diameter for one of these monsters is between 7 and 11 metres. The African baobab is commonly the largest of this species and the circumference of the trunk is able to reach 47 metres.
To survive the harsh, dry seasons of the African savanna, the baobab has the ability to store water inside it's large trunk. The amount of water in the trunk can build up to 120,000 litres (32,000 U.S gallons).
The fruits and leaves on the baobab are used for many different things but the main one is for eating purposes. The leaves are a leaf green vegetable in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Sahel, but can also be eaten as a dry powder that is used in soups. The fruit is a similar size to a coconut and is encased in a velvet-like shell. The fruit can be dried and turned into powder which is extremely healthy. It includes:
The powder, created from these fruits, is also used to thicken jams and syrups.
The height of a baobab tree can range from 5 metres tall to a huge 30 metres and the usual diameter for one of these monsters is between 7 and 11 metres. The African baobab is commonly the largest of this species and the circumference of the trunk is able to reach 47 metres.
To survive the harsh, dry seasons of the African savanna, the baobab has the ability to store water inside it's large trunk. The amount of water in the trunk can build up to 120,000 litres (32,000 U.S gallons).
The fruits and leaves on the baobab are used for many different things but the main one is for eating purposes. The leaves are a leaf green vegetable in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Sahel, but can also be eaten as a dry powder that is used in soups. The fruit is a similar size to a coconut and is encased in a velvet-like shell. The fruit can be dried and turned into powder which is extremely healthy. It includes:
- Carbohydrates
- Dietary Fibre
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Iron
- Vitamin B
The powder, created from these fruits, is also used to thicken jams and syrups.
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
http://www.public-domain-image.com/flora-plants
The umbrella thorn acacia is one of the African savanna's most recognisable vegetation (tree). This tree can also go by the names:
The umbrella thorn acacia grows in places that have temperatures between 0 and 50 degrees celcius, or have 1 to 10 centimetres of rain per year. The African savanna is a perfect area for this tree as it has a wet season and a dry one.
The tree can grow up to 21 metres tall and is able to carry leaves that are approximately 2.5 centimetres in length and small, white flowers. These flowers form is small clusters (groups) and have a strong, sweet smell. The seeds that this tree produce are in pods that are flat and spring-like.
This plant also has the ability to withstand droughts and harsh soils such as stony or sandy. Observations on plants older than 2 years have proven that these remarkable trees can withstand frost and are almost 'frost resistant'.
- Acacia Tortilis
- Umbrella Thorn
- Israeli Babool
The umbrella thorn acacia grows in places that have temperatures between 0 and 50 degrees celcius, or have 1 to 10 centimetres of rain per year. The African savanna is a perfect area for this tree as it has a wet season and a dry one.
The tree can grow up to 21 metres tall and is able to carry leaves that are approximately 2.5 centimetres in length and small, white flowers. These flowers form is small clusters (groups) and have a strong, sweet smell. The seeds that this tree produce are in pods that are flat and spring-like.
This plant also has the ability to withstand droughts and harsh soils such as stony or sandy. Observations on plants older than 2 years have proven that these remarkable trees can withstand frost and are almost 'frost resistant'.
Candelabra Tree
http://ourdems.org/kenya/p4GreatRiftValley.htm
The candelabra is a poisonous tree located in countries near the equator. This tree is commonly found in the West Indies, all over Africa and can grow up to 10 metres tall. The candelabra's branches all grow from the same trunk and at the top plants that look like cacti grow. During mid-winter (wet season) this plant is able to grow small, yellow flowers.
Inside the tree is white sap, this can be extremely dangerous as a single drop can create a huge, painful blister. If any of it comes into contact with the eye it can permanently blind someone. It has a sticky coating and spiky thorns, this ensures that no large animal would dare eat it. Sometimes these trees are used as barrier fences as touching it, or even breathing in the fumes gives a painful, burning sensation.
Amazingly, some small animals are able to feed on this monster of a tree. These animals are:
Monkeys and birds are able to feed on the tree's small fruit whilst porcupines and cane rats are able to feed on the roots
Inside the tree is white sap, this can be extremely dangerous as a single drop can create a huge, painful blister. If any of it comes into contact with the eye it can permanently blind someone. It has a sticky coating and spiky thorns, this ensures that no large animal would dare eat it. Sometimes these trees are used as barrier fences as touching it, or even breathing in the fumes gives a painful, burning sensation.
Amazingly, some small animals are able to feed on this monster of a tree. These animals are:
- Monkeys
- Birds
- Porcupines
- Cane rats
Monkeys and birds are able to feed on the tree's small fruit whilst porcupines and cane rats are able to feed on the roots