Adansonia grandidieri - Giant Baobab

Adansonia grandidieri, also known as the Grandidier's Baobab, is an emblematic tree of Madagascar, considered the most beautiful of the Malagasy species. Its silhouette is recognisable among all, even when the tree is grown in a pot: its extremely thick cylindrical trunk, a true colossus, supports a wide, plateau-like crown. The baobab is very sensitive to cold weather and does not flower or bear fruit in our climates, but it can be easily cultivated in containers: place it indoors from September-October to April, and take it out on the patio or balcony from May to August.

According to classifications, Adansonia grandidieri belongs to the Bombacaceae or Malvaceae family. It is a large tree endemic to the west of Madagascar, particularly abundant around Morondava, but also noticeably further south in a more compact form. The species has a specific protected status there. In nature, the Grandidier's baobab exceeds 25 m (82ft) in height, and its trunk can reach a diameter of 6 to 7 m (20 to 23ft). This very sensitive tree suffers as soon as temperatures drop below 10 or 12°C (50 or 53.6°F).

Cultivated in containers and regularly pruned, it will not exceed 2.50 m (8ft) in height with a crown span of 1.50 m (5ft). This tree develops a massive cylindrical trunk, whose soft and spongy tissues serve as water reserves during the long periods of drought it endures in its native country. The bark is thick, slightly shiny, brown in colour, becoming greyer over time. From the top of the trunk, a few large main branches branch out into increasingly thinner branches and twigs. The entire crown, spread out wide, somewhat resembles an umbrella. The foliage is deciduous during the dry season, from September-October to April in its native lands. In our climates, it will be necessary to respect this necessary resting period for the tree's health, to avoid rotting of the fleshy roots. The leaves are long-petioled, simple and entire on young specimens, but divided into 5 to 7 leaflets on adult specimens. They are dark green in colour and arranged spirally on the branches. In the wild, flowering appears on baobabs that are at least 10 years old, just before or at the beginning of the rainy season, sometimes as early as January. It takes the form of curious flowers standing on a pedicel. Each flower, 10-15 cm (4-6in) wide, consists of a white corolla surrounded by brown-green sepals topped with a cluster of pompom-like stamens, from which the pistil protrudes. It opens at night and is pollinated by lemurs and nocturnal butterflies, attracted by abundant nectar and its fragrance. After pollination, edible fruits form, oblong-round in shape, covered by a thick husk. They contain edible pulp, rich in vitamins and calcium, as well as edible oilseeds.

With its characteristic bottle-shaped silhouette, the Grandidier's Baobab is a very beautiful indoor plant, to be highlighted in a contemporary or exotic-inspired decor. Plant enthusiasts looking for unusual and beautiful plants can also adopt agaves, banana trees, or even the bird of paradise Strelitzia reginae to add a beautiful tropical touch to the patio or veranda decor.