The rare flower may go on to produce superfruit – said to taste of a blend of melon and pineapple - a serving of which contains more calcium than milk, three times as much vitamin C and 100 times more antioxidant activity than oranges, and is 50 per cent fibre.
The Adansonia digitata is native to Africa and is known as the ‘Tree of Life’ owing to its ability to live for up to 2,500* years and for its ability to support both humans and wildlife, providing everything from food and shelter to clothing and
medicine.
Recognisable for its bulbous trunk, the African baobab can grow up to 25m in height and equally as wide in circumference, with spindly, root-like branches protruding from the rotund trunk, coining another nickname – the ‘Upside-Down Tree’.
The Eden Project’s baobab was collected as seed in the Chickwawa region of Malawi in 1995 and initially grown by the Van der Arend Tropical Plantcenter in the Netherlands before becoming one of the early Rainforest Biome plantings, making its home there as a young sapling in the year 2000. It’s estimated that the specimen, which currently stands at 8 metres in height at 27 years old.
The tree thrives in dry, arid conditions. The Eden Project combats the challenges of the UK’s long summer days and short winter days by simulating both dry and
rainy seasons within the Biome to stimulate a natural response from the plants.
The large, white, pendulous flowers are edible and hang from long stalks. They bloom at night to be pollinated by nocturnal creatures, such as bats, moths and even lemurs, usually lasting just one day before wilting. Eden’s baobab is currently sporting two of the bright flowers, with additional buds promising a further show in the weeks to come.
Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project, said: “It’s incredible to see our African baobab flowering, especially here in the UK. We’re fairly confident this has never happened before. We have five stunning baobabs in our Rainforest Biome,
and this particular tree has been with us since the very beginning. To witness it bloom as we approach our 25th birthday next year is something truly special to behold.”
“These only flower for a short period of time, so I’d encourage anyone in the area to come and see this botanical wonder for yourselves as there’s literally never been a better time to visit the Eden Project and experience this extraordinary botanical moment for yourself.
“Our expert horticulturalists will be carefully hand pollinating the flowers over the coming weeks in the hopes of producing the large velvety fruits, which can grow up to 20cm in length. These can take between four-to-six months to mature so keep your eyes peeled and remember to look up as you walk from the Rain Shack towards the Cloud Bridge!”
Most parts of the baobab can be eaten. The flowers, superfruit and seeds are all edible, as are the leaves, which are high in protein, minerals and vitamins A and C. The powdery coating around the seeds is often dried and used as a
nutritional supplement, rich in vitamins C and B2. The bark is also said to possess antimicrobial and antiviral properties. The trunk contains thousands of litres of water, which elephants will occasionally tear down for hydration. These properties and their multi-purpose use mean it is in high demand and at risk of overharvesting.
While the Adansonia digitata species is fairly widespread, many other species are under threat. Six out of the eight species can be found only in Madagascar and are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list due to intensive agriculture destroying their habitats.
To support the conservation of the baobab tree and balance this with the positive impact that harvesting the fruit has on the livelihoods of rural producers across Southern Africa, the Eden Project worked closely with PhytoTrade Africa and TreeCrops Ltd to provide a sustainable and ethical supply chain of baobab products. It continues to ethically source baobab from Malawi and Ghana for its cafes and shops, from baobab ice cream to tangy superfood powder.
To find out more about baobab and to plan your visit to the Eden Project, head to www.edenproject.com.
*Radiocarbon dating shows the oldest recorded baobab as being around 2,100 years old; however, it's thought that they could reach more than 2,500 years in age.
