Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Zombitse. This is probably because it is more tolerant of the cooler climate. The fruits are
ovoid rather than round and have peculiarly swollen stalks. Malagasy names:
za
,
boringy
,
ringy
,
bojy
,
bozy
,
bozybe
; flowers: November-January; distribution: west of Taolagnaro
(Fort Dauphin) up to Analalava.
Adansonia rubrostipa (formerly A. fony
)
Preferring sandy soil, this is the smallest of the
baobabs. In the spiny forest they assume a bottle shape, but at Kirindy they are taller and
more slender. The fruits are rather thin-walled and do not carry far without breaking open.
This may explain why clusters of
A. rubrostipa
are often found growing in relatively high
concentrations. Identifying features include serrated leaf edges and bark that tends to have
a reddish tinge. Malagasy names:
fony
,
zamena
,
boringy
,
ringy
; flowers: February-March;
distribution: along the west coast from Itampolo to Soalala.
Adansonia suarezensis
RestrictedtoafewsitesintheextremenorthofMadagascar,thisis
the world's second rarest baobab. It is closely related to
A. grandidieri
but specimens tend
to be somewhat smaller. It is characterised by its horizontal branches and smooth red bark.
Malagasy names:
bojy
,
bozy
; flowers: May-July; distribution: areas near Antsiranana and
the forests of Mahory and Analamera.
Adansonia perrieri
Some people call this the 'rainforest species' for it shuns the drier hab-
itats where its siblings thrive. It occupies a specialised niche on the sheltered banks of
smallstreamsrunningdownfromMontagned'Ambre.Itisthelargestofthethreenorthern
baobabs, and with just a few dozen specimens remaining it is also one of the rarest trees
in the world. One of the best sites to see it in its full glory is by the stream that runs down
from the Grande Cascade in the National Park. You will need to set aside a half-day, but
the sight of these tall trees rising majestically from the steep valley floor is well worth the
walk.Malagasynames:
bojy,bozy
;flowers:November-December;distribution:afewvery
small populations near Montagne d'Ambre.
