How to Identify the Different Baobab Tree Varieties

Baobab trees are ancient, distinctive looking trees that are native to Madagascar, mainland Africa, Arabia, and Australia. With their massive trunks, smooth gray bark, and sparse crowns, they are one of the most recognizable trees in the world.

There are 8 accepted species of baobab trees, each with unique features that help identify them. By looking at their bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, and growth habit, you can learn to tell them apart.

Getting to Know the Baobab Genus

All baobab tree species belong to the Adansonia genus in the Malvaceae family, The genus name honors the French botanist Michel Adanson who first described the baobab tree

Six of the eight baobab species are native to Madagascar, including the endangered Grandidier’s, Perrier’s, and Suarez baobabs The iconic African baobab comes from mainland Africa, while the Australian baobab is native to northern Australia.

Baobabs are deciduous trees, meaning they shed their leaves annually before growing new ones. They have massive trunks that store water and help them survive drought.

Identifying Baobabs by Their Trunk

The most recognizable feature of a baobab is the thick, bottle-shaped or cylindrical trunk. Baobabs are called “upside down” trees because they seem to grow with their roots in the air.

The African baobab has a pronounced swollen trunk up to 10 m in diameter The trunk is typically cylindrical

Grandidier’s baobab also has a massive cylindrical trunk up to 10 m across with smooth, reddish-gray bark.

The Australian baobab’s trunk is bottle-shaped and constricted. The bark is smooth and grayish.

Recognizing Varieties by Their Leaves

Baobab leaves grow in a radial pattern on the ends of branches. They are palmately compound, meaning leaflets radiate from a central point like fingers on a hand.

• African baobab leaves have 5-7 leaflets.

• Grandidier’s baobab has 9-11 powdery, blue-green leaflets.

• Australian baobab leaves have 5-9 leaflets.

• Za baobab leaves have 5-8 leaflets.

• Madagascar baobab has 5-7 leaflets.

Identifying by Flowers and Fruits

During the rainy season, baobabs produce large, fragrant flowers. African baobabs have white flowers up to 20 cm wide.

Grandidier’s baobabs have white flowers that turn yellow. Za baobabs have yellow and red flowers.

The Madagascar baobab’s flowers are dark red. Australian baobabs have 6-petaled white flowers.

After pollination, they produce ovoid or globose fruits with a hard outer shell filled with kidney-shaped seeds embedded in pulp. The fruit pulp is edible.

Za baobabs have the largest fruits at 12 inches long. Australian baobabs have smooth, oval fruits.

Distinguishing by Growth Habit

• The African baobab is the tallest species, reaching heights over 25 m.

• Grandidier’s baobab can grow up to 30 m tall.

• The Madagascar baobab reaches 20 m tall.

• The Australian baobab is shorter, growing to 15 m.

• The endangered Fony baobab is a dwarf species under 5 m tall.

Identifying Endangered Baobab Species

Several baobab species are under threat and have endangered conservation status. They face habitat loss and climate change.

The Grandidier’s, Perrier’s, and Suarez baobabs found in Madagascar are endangered species. The long-lived African baobab is also declining mysteriously.

Protecting these ancient baobab trees and their habitats ensures future generations can continue to enjoy their magnificence. By learning how to identify baobab tree varieties, you can better appreciate their diversity.