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The baobab tree is one of Madagascar's national symbols.
The name originates from Arabic phrase '''bu hibab''' meaning fruit with many seeds. The first botanical description of the baobab was made by French botanist Michel Adanson and a species was
later named Adansonia. The sixth and the last Malagasy species was
discovered and described in 1960.
Baobabs are found in dry and semi-arid areas which receive less than
500 mm of water per year. They are succulent plants that adapt well to arid
environments thanks to their water storage capacity in
their thick and swollen trunks which contain up to 80% water.
The baobab only bear leaves in the rainy season and are leafless during
the dry season which limits their water loss.
Baobab belong to the Bombacaceae family of trees which includes the Kapok tree. While
there are nine species of baobab in the world, six of them are endemic to Madagasccar.
== Additional information ==