The Wood is a dull yellow colour, very subject to bluish discolorations, due to mould. In transverse section the rings are indistinct and inseparable from the numerous concentric lines of hard and soft tissue which are clearly marked. The pores are open, very numerous, of different sizes, the large ones plainly visible, mostly single with little soft tissue, except along the rings where the pores are in rows, each separated by a ray. There are a few double pores, nests and small chains. The rays are slightly waved, fairly evenly spaced except where the finer rays are closer together. The rays show as light-reflecting bands in the radial section. The wood is soft, rather coarse in grain, easily worked, planing to a rather rough, untidy surface. The weight is 45 lbs. a cubic foot.
The Leaves, which spring from between the thorns, are bipinnate, about 5-6 inches long with 10-25 pairs of pinnae, the numerous and dark green leaflets being ⅛ inch long with rounded tips.
The Flowers are in white balls slightly over ½ inch in diameter, with ¾ inch stalks, in loose bunches. Their colour distinguishes them from those of other species similar and likely to be confused. They are sweet-scented and visited by bees.
The Fruits are large, brown pods, from 6-7 inches long, 1 inch wide and ½ inch thick, straight or slightly curved. They are not very numerous, but conspicuous by their size. The seeds, about 12 in number are quadrangular, rounded, flattened, very hard and dark and light brown.
Uses.—The young trees and the branches of the old are used for handles of implements, the angle of branching being especially suited to the shape of the large hoe (galma) handle.
The gum, in solution, is applied to turban and gown cloth and a sheen produced by beating.
ADANSONIA DIGITATA B. Juss.—Kuka. “Baobab.” MALVACEAE.
The Baobab tree is so well known as hardly to need description. The enormous girth up to some 50 feet, large white flowers and pendulous fruits are familiar. From its earliest years it assumes the shape, in miniature, of the older trees. Though nature plays the largest part in the shaping, the cropping of leaves for food, the stripping of bark for rope and the ringing of large branches by beetles till they fall to the ground, all help to accelerate the abnormal form. Widely distributed, it is locally more than generally common, and abounds in groups. The majority of large native towns are full of it. Occasionally it can be seen without the usual stunted appearance, with slender branches and well-formed crown. An association with Tamarindus indica (Tsamiya) is fairly common, the latter growing long slender stems about the former and partly embracing its trunk.