Adansonia gregorii

Adansonia gregorii, commonly known as the boab, is a tree species belonging to the Malvaceae family. It is one of the nine species of the genus Adansonia and is native to Australia, specifically the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and east into the Northern Territory. It is named after the Australian explorer Augustus Gregory.

Description

Adansonia gregorii trees are typically 5–15 metres (16–49 ft) in height, but can grow up to 25 metres (82 ft). The trunk base may be extremely large; trunks with a diameter of over five metres have been recorded. The tree's trunk is bottle-shaped, generally swollen, giving the tree a remarkable appearance. The bark is smooth and grey, with the branches resembling the fingers of a hand. The leaves are compound with leaflets radiating from a central point, and the flowers, which bloom at night, are large and white.

Uses

The indigenous Australian Aboriginal people have used the boab tree for various purposes. The hollow trunks have been used for shelter, storage, and even as a source of water. The leaves are used for medicinal purposes, and the fruit is a source of food.

Conservation

While Adansonia gregorii is not currently considered a threatened species, it faces several conservation challenges. These include habitat loss due to land clearing for agriculture, and the potential impacts of climate change.

See also

• Adansonia digitata
• Adansonia grandidieri
• Adansonia madagascariensis
• Adansonia perrieri
• Adansonia rubrostipa
• Adansonia suarezensis
• Adansonia za