Madagascar’s baobab trees

Baobab Trees

●The trees have trunks with large circumferences and thin, spindly branches.

●Their height extends up to 50 meters.

●They have exceptionally long lifespans going up to 2,000 years.

Scientific name: Adansonia

Family: Malvaceae

Uses:  Fruits and seeds are edible, the seed oil is used for cooking, and the bark fiber for clothing.

Distribution: They are native to Madagascar, mainland Africa, and Australia. The trees have also been introduced to other regions such as Asia.

Ecological significance: It is a keystone species. It provides“essential resources, such as food or shelter, for a guild of animals in return for which the guild of animals provides an essential service, or mobile links, such as pollination or diaspore dispersal.

India: It is found in a few areas including one near the Golconda Fort in Andhra Pradesh that is believed to be more than 400 years old.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: 

●Three Madagascar species of baobab trees are threatened with extinction.

●The remaining three are listed under the Least Concern category.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.  Consider the following statements about “Baobab Trees”

1. They have long height and exceptionally long lifespans.
2. They are native to the United States of America and Mexico.
3. All their species are threatened with extinction
4. They are not found in India

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A. only one

B. only two

C. only three

D  All four

Answer: A