Adansonia gregorii ( Australian Baobab ) is a fast-growing deciduous tree that is native to the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This bottle-shaped ornamental tree produces edible fruits, bark that can be used to make medicine and is becoming popular as a bonsai project in the cooler climates. Mature trees produce white flowers from late summer and throughout autumn.
Suitable for Dry and Tropical climates but can be grown indoors as a bonsai specimen or while still young seedlings.
There are many other common names for Adansonia gregorii that include Boab, Bottle Tree, Dead Rat Tree, Upside Down Tree, Monkey Bread Tree, Sour Gourd, and Cream of Tartar Tree. One of the more popular indigenous names for the tree is Gadawon.
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Growth
Adansonia gregorii is a flowering tree that reaches heights of up to 15 metres (59 feet) and 10 metres (30 feet) wide. It is the only Adansonia species native to Australia where it grows wild in northern regions of Western Australia and Northern Territory. This species has smooth, pale bark and regrows its fallen leaves in Spring. White flowers adorn the tree from November to May and only open during the night.
In optimum daytime temperatures above 25°C / 77°F and young seedlings can grow very quickly. Some studies have found young Adansonia plants can grow up to 1 metre (3 feet) in one growing season.
The Australian Baobab does not tolerate frost or temperatures below 10°C / 50°F, so is rarely seen in temperate or colder climates unless grown indoors or inside a greenhouse.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Malvaceae
CLIMATE:
Dry, Sub-Tropical, Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10°C to 27°C / 50 to 80°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 15 metres (59 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 10 metres (30 feet)
pH:
5.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by the convolvulus hawk-moth.
MATURITY:
5-8 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
75-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for 6 hours, then 2-4 weeks
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Relatively Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 2
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT ADANSONIA GREGORII (Australian Baobab)
The oldest and largest Australian Baobabs can hold more than 100,000 litres of water.
Leaves of the Australian Baobab are high in iron and can be cooked like spinach.
The bark of Adansonia gregorii has the remarkable ability in that it can maintain inscribed markings for more than a century.
