Beautiful Baobabs

When you think of baobabs, you probably think of the African continent as a whole. However, this island off the coast of Africa is home to 75% of the world's baobabs. This is one of the things about Madagascar you should know. One species lives in Australia, another in Africa, and Madagascar owns the remaining six. Visit the Avenue of the Baobabs in the Menabe region to really appreciate them. There are two dozen of the ancient trees standing proudly along a dusty road there. They were previously part of a tropical forest that was destroyed for agriculture, as did the scattered other baobabs in the region.

The Baobab is an iconic tree in Madagascar, defining the landscape of the island's south and west. With its massive, smooth-barked trunk and towering height, this majestic tree is remarkable in person. Six species have been identified worldwide, with eight of them being native to Madagascar. With its distinctive form, this huge tree can grow up to 30 meters tall. The trunk can reach a diameter of 9 meters and a circumference of 30 meters.

Baobab leaves are special in that they only appear for a brief time. Indeed, during the dry season, baobabs shed their leaves to prevent water loss, and these blossoms are stunning. They are available in a variety of colors, ranging from white to yellow to red. Flowering time varies according on the species. During the dry season in Madagascar, baobabs are a good supply of water.