Adansonia

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Adansonia (family Bombacaceae) A genus of trees, several species of which are pollinated by ants that inhabit modified spines. Baobab (A. digitata) is famous for its hugely swollen trunk, commonly 15 m in girth, and reaching 35 m in height. Other species swell, but less so. Baobab provides human and animal food and medicines. There are 9 species, occurring in the seasonal tropics of Africa, Madagascar, and north-western Australia.