Baobab

Baobab

Description

A large, potbellied tree from the bombax family (Adansonia digitata) native to tropical Africa. Fibers obtained from the peeled bark of the baobab tree are used for making cloth, rope, and paper. The soft, easily carved timber has been used for many functional items. The baobab tree also produces a large, gourd-like fruit whose woody shell has been carved into bowls, utensils, and ornamental items.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Adansonia digitata; baobab (Fr.); African baobab

Additional Images

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  Baobab tree

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  Baobab tree

Authority

• G.S.Brady, G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 578

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• Random House, Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "baobab" Encyclopdia Britannica [Accessed April 5, 2002].