I thought they were Cycads at first (a class in gymnosperms). But these are angiosperms, apparently. Still look kind of similar to cycads, though, because of the clustered branches only at the apex.
Cool tree.
Cycads have palm-like leaves though, so veeery different! I’d say baobabs are not too different in their growth habit from other Bombacoideae (Malvaceae). Compare with e.g. Ceiba, Pseudobombax, Cavanillesia. And the leaves look just like most Malvaceae plants as well ;)
Fun fact: Pseudobombax trees can actually do photosynthesis with their trunk, which is green (or at least has green streaks).
I thought they were Cycads at first (a class in gymnosperms). But these are angiosperms, apparently. Still look kind of similar to cycads, though, because of the clustered branches only at the apex. Cool tree.
I never took the time to look into this. They do have a primative look to them. I had to look up the flower. It was more complex than I expected.
Cycads have palm-like leaves though, so veeery different! I’d say baobabs are not too different in their growth habit from other Bombacoideae (Malvaceae). Compare with e.g. Ceiba, Pseudobombax, Cavanillesia. And the leaves look just like most Malvaceae plants as well ;)
Fun fact: Pseudobombax trees can actually do photosynthesis with their trunk, which is green (or at least has green streaks).
You’re right, they do have very different leaves. Photosynthetic trunks are an interesting adaptation. Thanks for the fun fact.