The boabab tree is botanically named as
Adansonia digitata belongs to the family
Bombacaceae. The largest succulent plant in the world, the baobab tree provides, food, water, shelter and relief from sickness. It is also referred to as
'grotesque' . The tree has squat cylindrical trunk with greyish-brown bark and gives rise to thick tapering branches resembling a root-system, which is why it has often been referred to as the
upside-down tree. The long leaves are divided into 5-7 finger-like leaflets. The main stem of baobab trees may reach to a height of 25 m and a girth of 28 m.
There is an article this tree authored by Sanjay M Johri on and published bu Meri news on 05 March 2008. This article was referred on gardening website www.gardenpoints.org. The article says as follows:
In Africa it is known as ‘The Tree of Life’ for its vitality and longevity and commonly known as Baobab. However unmindful of its mythological importance or lack of interest, the power department employees cut two such Kalpvriksha located in the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP), Lucknow saying that these were "dying."
Strangely, though the tree grows in and around the scientific and research institutes, researchers have hardly any say on its conservation rather they remain mute spectators to its constant cutting from all sides. While authorities say the tree is more of a nuisance, scientists complain that there has never been an attempt to conserve the same.
Dr DK Saini, a BSIP scientist who is also member of the infamous State Biodiversity Board told Merinews that the tree was not in the priority of the authorities for conservation.
“There are many endangered plants which because of their medicinal and economic value are subject of research and efforts are on to conserve them through tissue culture technique but Kalpvriksha (Adansonia digitata) does not seem to be in the priority list,” they pointed out.
For us the tree remains a subject of research but we can take it up only when the government gives importance to such endangered species, which are of great mythological importance.
But, fortunately we have a lot of this plant wealth in India. Mr. Ajay Vansh Tyagi, Hon . Genreral Secretary, INDIAN NURSERYMEN ASSOCIATION has responded positively in his email to gardenpoints@gmail.com and we have got a lot of hope regarding this plant wealth. His mail says:
"More then 20 specimen plant of 25 feet hight is available for sale in our stock itself. Two plants each we supplied to Lohia park , Luckhnow & Gahziabad - there is enough small planting material available with us that would make perusal of multiplication of this species through tissue culture an overly expensive alternative. People who are interested for information may contact us at Ajay Nursery, Vill. & P.O. ASAURA - 245101, Hapur stt., Ghaziabad (U.P.), Ph :- 9837089171, 0122-2316852"
We could see some pictures sent by Mr. Ajay Tyagi to us here. and we are very much thankful to him.
See much about landscaping at
www.gardenpoints.org
