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The Baobabs: Pachycauls of Africa, Madagascar and Australia

  • Book
  • © 2008

Overview

Authors:
  1. Gerald E. Wickens

    1. Retired Head of Economic Botany, Royal Botanic Gardens, UK

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  • First and only fully comprehensive account of all eight species of Adansonia
  • Contains much new information
  • Highly interesting for scientists, academics and laypeople

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xl
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  2. Historical Background

    Pages 1-30

  3. Famous Trees

    Pages 31-48

  4. Folklore and Tradition

    Pages 49-66

  5. Food and Fodder

    Pages 67-80

  6. Human and Veterinary Medicine

    Pages 81-100

  7. Other Uses of the Baobab

    Pages 101-124

  8. Art and Iconography

    Pages 125-138

  9. Baobab Biology

    Pages 139-202

  10. Natural History

    Pages 203-226

  11. Conservation

    Pages 227-236

  12. Cultivation

    Pages 237-244

  13. Taxonomy

    Pages 245-263

  14. Distribution and Ecology

    Pages 264-306

  15. Phytogeography

    Pages 307-330

  16. Unfinished Business

    Pages 331-336

  17. Back Matter

    Pages 337-498
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Keywords

About this book

Although Alexander von Humboldt never saw a baobab, he wrote: ‘Among organic creatures, this tree [Dracaena draco (dragon tree)] is undoubtedly, together with the Adansonia or baobab of Senegal, one of the oldest inhabitants of our planet’ (Humboldt 1852). With their enormous size, distinctive and often grotesque appearance, and great age (measured perhaps in thousands of years), baobab trees attract the attention of botanists, amateurs, tourists and passers-by wherever they grow. Old specimens display highly individual, photogenic characteristics which endear them to local people, artists and photographers. European knowledge of the African baobab dates back to Renaissance times. I first became acquainted with the African baobab in 1952 while working in what was then Sokoto Province, Northern Nigeria. Later I worked in the former Rhodesias (now Zambia and Zimbabwe) and in the Sudan, and was able to further my studies. Although I have written about the African baobab, it was Pat Lowe who, in January 2000, persuaded me that we should pool our knowledge and ex- riences and write a book on all eight species of this outstanding genus. While I take full responsibility for the final text, I have taken advantage of her knowledge of baobabs in Africa, Madagascar and especially Australia, and of her constructive criticism of the text.

Reviews

From the reviews:

"In this volume, Wickens and Lowe (both, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK) provide a very comprehensive, technical summary of the genus, including the current state of botanical understanding … and the associated fauna and their use of the trees. … It ends with 55 pages of references and both taxonomic and subjects indexes. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate, graduate, research, and faculty audiences." (D. Dreyer, Choice, Vol. 46 (4), December, 2008)

"Baobabs are iconic trees of Africa, Madagascar and N.W. Australia … . The book is divided into 15 chapters. In ‘Historical background’ all records are reviewed … . This book is an invaluable resource of baobab knowledge." (Colin C. Walker, Bradleya, Vol. 27, 2009)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Retired Head of Economic Botany, Royal Botanic Gardens, UK

    Gerald E. Wickens

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