2004 Winter;59(1):29-33. baobab fruit Gourdlike fruit of the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata). Baobab is a good source of fiber, and powdered versions can contain up to 18% of the daily recommended value in just one tablespoon (10 grams) (4). [35], As of April 2015 baobabs are not yet classified by the IUCN's Red List criteria, but they are a part of the “Catalogue of Life.”[21] The baobab is a protected tree in South Africa. The calyx lobes remain fused at the base, leaving a feature (calyx tube) that has nectar-producing tissue and that is cup-shaped, flat or tubular; the form of the calyx tube varies with species. [19][24] The Glencoe baobab, a specimen of A. digitata in Limpopo Province, South Africa, was considered to be the largest living individual, with a maximum circumference of 47 m (154 ft)[25] and a diameter of about 15.9 m (52 ft). )[12] but is no longer recognized as a distinct species. It is still speculated whether fertile baobab seeds can result from pollination by the tree's own pollen. Can the Poria Mushroom Strengthen Your Immune System? Simon Gardner, Pindar Sidisunthorn and Lai Ee May, 2011. (2018) The demise of the largest and oldest African baobabs. The Panke baobab in Zimbabwe was some 2,450 years old when it died in 2011, making it the oldest angiosperm ever documented, and two other trees — Dorslandboom in Namibia and Glencoe in South Africa — were estimated to be approximately 2,000 years old. Mayo is a popular condiment for sandwiches and often used as a base for salad dressings and sauces. Scientists believe it is unlikely that disease or pests were able to kill many trees so rapidly, and some speculated that the die-off was a result of dehydration from global warming. "Trees That Have Lived for Millennia Are Suddenly Dying The oldest baobabs are collapsing, and there's only one likely explanation", "Agency Response Letter GRAS Notice No. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. The pulp, leaves and seeds of the baobab fruit — which is also available in powdered form — have been associated with many health benefits and are a staple in various recipes and cuisines. 3 (1995), pp. So, why are they so popular? The Ombalantu baobab in Namibia has a hollow trunk that can accommodate some 35 people. At Saakpuli (also Sakpele) in northern Ghana the site of a 19th-century slave transit camp is marked by a stand of large baobabs, to which slaves were chained.