Legend holds that when the Baobab was planted by God, it kept walking, so God pulled it up and replanted it upside down to stop it moving. When travelling to Australia, Africa or Madagascar, you might spot a lonely tree that looks as if it is growing upside-down, with twisted roots sitting atop a huge, smooth, trunk.
We have taken a closer look at this massive tree, one of the oldest and strangest living things on our planet. In keeping with its unusual characteristics, it has a weird-sounding name – the baobab.
The Baobab, Upside-Down Tree or Adansonia are some of the names used can reach heights of 5 to 30 metres (16 to 98 ft) and have trunk diameters of 7 to 11 metres (23 to 36 ft).
Even is some claim that the Baobab may be many thousands of years old, it is difficult to verify as the wood does not produce annual growth rings. [25 pictures]
![5206685921 8b5e12d4c5 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5206685921_8b5e12d4c5_b.jpg "Alley of the Baobab")
These magnificent trees form part of what is called the Alley of the Baobab, June, 2009. (special permission Tõnu Pihelgas).
![5082763732 c8548738b9 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5082763732_c8548738b9_b.jpg "Child's face and baobab tree")
![4955998343 2b4170b300 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4955998343_2b4170b300_b.jpg "Sunset at the Avenue of the Baobab trees")
![Adansonia grandidieri01 Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Adansonia_grandidieri01.jpg "Baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri), near Morondava, Madagascar")
![Adansonia grandidieri02 Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Adansonia_grandidieri02.jpg "Adansonia grandidieri, baobab from Madagascar, picture taken near Morondava")
Adansonia grandidieri, baobab from Madagascar, picture taken near Morondava, March 14, 2007 (CC Bernard Gagnon/a>).
![Adansonia grandidieri03 Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Adansonia_grandidieri03.jpg "Adansonia grandidieri, baobab from Madagascar, picture taken near Morondava, March 14, 2007")
Adansonia grandidieri, baobab from Madagascar, picture taken near Morondava, March 14, 2007 (CC Bernard Gagnon/a>).
![559496440 1566b012f6 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/559496440_1566b012f6_b.jpg "Morondava, Avenue of the Baobabs")
Trees and ground brings great color after rain, Morondava, Avenue of the Baobabs, Myanmar. May 1, 2007. (CC Rita Willaert).
![559526266 79ed3c7b47 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1105/559526266_79ed3c7b47_b.jpg "Travelers between Baobab trees")
A small coastal town and economic center of the west coast of Madagascar, formerly the heart of the Sakalava kingdom. Early in the morning starting at 5 in order not to miss the sunrise. The road between Morondava and Belo-Tsribihina is flanked by the largest baobabs of Madagascar. May 1, 2007 (CC Rita Willaert).
![Adansonia grandidieri04 Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Adansonia_grandidieri04.jpg "Single Baobab tree")
Single tree. The Grandidier’s Baobab, picture taken near Morondava, Madagascar March 14, 2007. (CC Bernard Gagnon/a>).
![12032311fac055 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/12032311fac055_o.jpg "Baobab tree bark")
The bark of the tree is a pinkish grey color sort of like hippo skin. It contains a tragacanth like gum thick with mucilage, making it very bitter, however the native people still use it as food. Also, it is very good for bringing down fevers and some natives believe that it can cure malaria. For this, the leave is boiled and the water that is left after the boiling can be taken in small dosages to cure asthma, coughs and other chest related ailments. June, 2009. (special permission Tõnu Pihelgas).
![12032361216e01 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/12032361216e01_o.jpg "The Baobab Lovers")
![4954246326 b0a800f8d9 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4954246326_b0a800f8d9_b.jpg "A Baobab tree with fruit")
![4953651673 ac53334be9 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4953651673_ac53334be9_b.jpg "Baobab fruit")
![4954249972 c74c2d9daf b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4954249972_c74c2d9daf_b.jpg "Baobab fruit split open")
![Lemurien maki queue Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Lemurien_maki_queue.jpg "Lemure catta")
![4954250284 a5564dfdf4 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4954250284_a5564dfdf4_b.jpg "Grass is burning to favor the Zebu")
![1203243154d9d4 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/1203243154d9d4_o.jpg "Evening is coming to the Alley of the Baobab")
![12032455ba1a3d o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/12032455ba1a3d_o.jpg "Baobab closeup")
![120324634689d8 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/120324634689d8_o.jpg "Avenue of the Baobab in fantastic light")
![12032475f2b7a4 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/12032475f2b7a4_o.jpg "Road between the majestic trees are heavily used by people")
ERoad between the majestic trees are heavily used by people, June, 2009. (special permission Tõnu Pihelgas).
![120324915346e8 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/120324915346e8_o.jpg "The tree bark changes color at dusk")
![1203244910ae26 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/1203244910ae26_o.jpg "Red bark")
![12032433dbd5c6 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/481/29/12032433dbd5c6_o.jpg "Last light of the day")
![4956047431 5da2236819 b Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4956047431_5da2236819_b.jpg "Sunset at Avenue of the Baobab")
![12023040d46988 o Baobab The Upside Down Tree [25 Pics]](http://static2.nagi.ee/i/p/480/92/12023040d46988_o.jpg "Scratching feel good")
the fact still remains that God is wonderful
Crazy fruit! I wonder what it tastes like…
Tart.
It is exactly like tataric, quite pleasant and thirst quenching
Always thought another name for the Baobab was ” Tree of Life” because so many crittters live inside. Have a photo from East Africa of a tremendous Baobab, that we saw on our trip. Looks out over the valley behind it. Wanted to have my husband stand next to it for perspective but guide said NO to many bad snakes hanging out around it. Susi
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.