THE BAOBAB TREE

Abstract

Trees are known to live for many years. Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating underneath a peepal tree (Ficus religiosa). A branch of the original tree was rooted in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka in 288 B.C. and is known as Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. It is the oldest plant in the world. Long-living plants are found in many parts of the world. The Baobab tree is one among them. Baobab is the common name of a genus of trees (Adansonia) distributed in Madagascar, Africa, Australia and India. The Baobab is the national tree of Madagascar. The Baobab is also known as “bottle tree”, “the tree of life”, “upside-down tree”, and “monkey bread tree”.