Giant wood and water grandparents

Known as the tree of life or the upside-down tree, the gigantic and peculiar baobab may be one of the oldest forest species. A study of its DNA has revealed that this tree could have emerged on the island of Madagascar 41 million years ago and from there it spread to the African and southern continents no less than 21 million years ago, according to the journal Nature.

Scientists from the Wuhan Botanical Garden (China), the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Queen Mary University, both in London, and the University of Antananarivo (Madagascar) analyzed the DNA of the eight species of baobab that exist to put an end to to the debate about this curious tree. One of them grows in Africa, another in the other part of the World (Australia) and the other six in Madagascar.

The first conclusion is that the baobab originated on the African island when the dinosaurs were already extinct and there were still almost 40 million years left for the appearance of Homo sapiens. While the birds diversified, this tree suffered the vicissitudes of changes in the morphology of the Earth and the rise and retreat of sea water.

Scientists suggest that ocean currents, insects and those early birds contributed to the tree’s spread to Africa and Australia. The transformation into different varieties was due to the evolution and development of the tree in its new ecosystems.

Millennial

The baobab, which is characterized by its longevity of thousands of years and its size of up to 30 meters long and ten meters in diameter, is in danger of extinction due to deforestation and climate change. And it can store large amounts of water in its trunk, which allows it to survive in dry seasons. Therefore, global warming and lower rainfall puts their survival at risk.

As Dr Ilia Leitch, from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, explains to the BBC, the study has provided “important new knowledge that will serve as a basis to help its conservation and safeguard its future.” Given the risk of losing the species, experts called for special measures for two of Madagascar’s species. The largest baobab in existence belongs to one of them.

Another curiosity of this ancient tree grows on its branches. Its fruits, with a hard rind, are considered a “superfood” with a high content of vitamin C. For this reason, they are currently in high demand. Everything about this fruit is eaten except the peel. From its dried pulp, flour is obtained to make broths, pastries or drinks. It is also used as a condiment and to accompany other stews. Its seeds are used to produce oil for cosmetic use or are dried and eaten directly.