Which tree species is often called the 'Tree of Life' in African savannas?

The tree often called the “Tree of Life” in African savannas is the baobab, specifically Adansonia digitata.

African baobabs are iconic trees of hot, seasonally dry regions south of the Sahara. Their enormous trunks can store water, helping them survive long dry seasons, while their thick bark offers protection from fire. They commonly lose their leaves for much of the dry season, giving them an unusual silhouette that inspired the nickname “upside-down tree.”

The species has long been important to people. Its fruit contains an edible, tangy pulp used in drinks, its young leaves can be eaten, and parts of the tree have traditionally provided medicine, shelter, and sometimes water storage. The flowers are mainly pollinated by fruit bats, which visit them after they open around dusk.

A common mix-up is treating “baobab” as one species. The name refers to the genus Adansonia, which includes several species in Madagascar and Australia. Adansonia digitata is the distinctive African mainland species associated with the savanna.