Baobabs have green leaves that grow in groups of five, and during the dry season, their leaves fall in order to conserve energy, just like deciduous trees in the U.S.! Baobabs also grow long, green fruits that can grow up to twelve inches long!
Every time I see a baobab, I'm completely amazed! They are the tallest and largest trees in Senegal, and stand out in a field of grass. I first saw a baobab in the middle of a street in Dakar and was amazed that cars were driving around it! People even stuck rocks on the trunk for good luck. Every Senegalese village has a baobab that is sacred to the community, and I love seeing how the baobabs are still standing tall, despite often being surrounded by buildings.
African baobabs are the most widespread of the eight baobab species, and they are found in West and East Africa. Baobabs are found in all African biomes except for the deserts and rainforests. Baobabs are found all over Senegal, especially in rural regions. Whenever I take a taxi between my village of Ndiaganiao and the city of M'bour, I'm amazed how these trees tower above the countryside that is filled with fields grass and grazing cows.
The baobab belongs to the succulent family, meaning that this tree collects water during the rainy season, which it then uses in order to survive the dry season that follows. Senegal's dry season is from October to May, while the rainy season lasts from June to December.
