The Tree of Life
This name is given to the "Baobá" , tree of African origin and that here no one knows when and who brought the first seeds to Brazil. Some say it came with the African slaves who arrived in the XIX century , others say it came with Maurice of Nassau when the Dutch invasion in Brazil in the XVI century . The mystery about it persists.
The Baobá is a beautiful , leafy tree , its presence is imposing and very resistant . Its Latin name is " Adansonia Digitata" . It is called the " Tree of Life" because it is a tree that lives hundreds of years. According to recent scientific research , the Baobá quite live about 2000 years .
Recife, my city , is known as the "City of Baobás out of Africa" because of the large number of specimens of this tree in several parts of the city . But the sad news is that today the Baobá or "Tree of Life" because of deforestation , human action and the transformation of the city with a constant urbanization is endangered and that I show to you in the pictures is one of the few remaining on here.
The Baobá can measure up to 30 meters high ( to get an idea of how it is high , it is almost a 2 or 3-storey building) and their length can reach 20 meters.
An interesting curiosity about the Baobá is that it was immortalized in the book "The Little Prince" , after the author of the book ( Antoine de Saint Exupéry ) stayed charmed by the tree when in his visit to Brazil .
Long life to the Baobá , our " Tree of Life "!
We have two of those here in Barbados, the older one is estimated to be over 1000 years old.
This is the older one.
Wonder. Thanks for sharing, @jamtaylor.
Here in Australia we also have a species of Boabab, in the dry northern parts. We call these trees Boab. These are very beautiful trees.
I think you meant "feet" not "meters". 30 meters high = 10 storey building
Yes @sulev, is 30 meters. You are right. I was optimistic about the 2 or 3 . :)
Amazing trees! Does it carry any fruit? I love the Senegalese band "Orchestra Baobab" that is named after the tree btw.
Yes, have a fruit in Baobá that is a delicious. :)