Adansonia gregorii, known as the Baobab or Australian Bottle Tree, is one of the plant kingdom's strangest (if not most grotesque) wonders. The tree is native to Northern Territory and Western Australia.
The tree is not particularly tall growing up to 15 metres tall but the trunk is massive: as much as 9 metres in diameter and shaped like a bottle. The trunk is in fact used to store water during dry periods.
The palmately compound leaves are clustered at the ends of short, stocky branches. Baobab is a deciduous tree, losing its leaves in the dry season.
At the end of the dry season, the Baobab blooms with large white flowers that hang down on long stalks. The white flowers are 10-12cm across and have waxy crinkled petals about 10cm long that surround dense clusters of stamens that look like powder puffs.
The ball-like fruits are about 15cm long and 10 cm in diameter.
Best suited to tropical or sub-tropical areas but prefers well-drained soils. As young trees they are very sensitive to frost damage. However, after reaching a height of 2m+, the trees suffer little to no frost damage.
Baobabs are strikingly beautiful as dominant, attention grabbing specimens. Not for the small garden! They also make great bonsai specimens. They are also good as indoor plants while small.
For sale is a packet of fresh seeds.
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