Heritage Tree Design

 

The Hall of Black Achievement
"Heritage Tree"
Designed to Symbolize a
Proud Heritage of Achievement;
Growing, Flourishing and
Shaping the Future of All Americans


The Baobab tree is native to the savanna region of Senegal in Western Africa
and is the national symbol of Senegal.

About the Baobab

Legend has it that, in a frivolous mood, the gods planted Baobabs upside down with their roots exposed to the sky.  Other legends identify the Baobab tree as the one true Tree of Life.

The trunk of a Baobab tree may reach a diameter of 30 feet and a height of 60 feet, with an extraordinary longevity of 1,000 to 2,000 years.

The trunk of a Baobab tree is made of parrenchy-like tissues saturated with water, allowing the tree to store more than 120,000 liters of water.
  

Uses of the Baobab

Medical
  • The leaves are used to fight inflammation.
  • The powder made of dried out leaves fights anemia, rachitis, dysentery, asthma, and rheumatism.
  • The fruit's pulp can fight dysentery, small pox, and measles.
  • The bark fights fever and inflammation of the digestive track.
  • The leaves are rich in calcium, iron, proteins, and lipids.
Other Uses
  • The seeds are full of vegetable oil and can be grilled, then eaten.  They are rich in phosphate, and used for making soap and fertilizers.
  • The tree's large, gourd-like, woody fruit (called monkey's bread) contains a sweet, white pulp, which may be eaten raw.
  • A strong fiber from the bark is used for rope and cloth.
  • The trunks are often excavated to serve as water reserves or temporary shelters.
  • When they are cooked and eaten, the roots of the young seedlings are eaten in the same manner as asparagus.

 

Last Modified: November 17, 2004