What is the scientific name of the baobab species native to mainland Africa?

The scientific name of the baobab species native to mainland Africa is Adansonia digitata.

Often called the African baobab, this is the most widespread member of the baobab genus, Adansonia. It occurs across dry and seasonally wet regions of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Mauritania to East and southern Africa. Its enormous, water-storing trunk helps it survive long dry seasons, while its deciduous leaves may disappear for much of the year.

The name Adansonia honors French botanist Michel Adanson, who described the tree after observing it in Senegal in 1749. The species name digitata means “finger-like,” referring to its hand-shaped compound leaves. That origin explains why the name is sometimes confused with a common name such as African baobab or upside-down tree.

Adansonia digitata is also notable for its fruit, whose dry, powdery pulp is edible and traditionally used in drinks and foods. It is distinct from Madagascar’s several baobab species, including Adansonia grandidieri, which is why the location in the question matters.