This Baobab is located on Sunland Farm in the Limpopo Province. It´s 22 m high, and around 47 m in circumference. The SA Dendrological Society dates it with aproximately 6000 years oF age and as the biggest of its species!.
In1993 the Van Heerdens cleared out the hollow centre of the tree, uncovering the floor about a meter below ground level, founding evidence of both Bushmen and Voortrekkers.
In
They made a door and installed a railway sleeper pub inside the trunk lodging up to 60 people!. A wine cellar was installed in a second hollow.
African Bushman believe that the god Thora disliked the Baobab growing in his garden, so he threw it to Earth below, but even though the tree landed upside-down it continued to grow...
They believe that any person who plucks the flowers (which bloom at night), will be torn apart by lions, because there are spirits in the flowers.
They also think that if you drink the water in which the Baobab’s pips have been soaked, this serves as protection from crocodiles.
Women living in kraals where Baobabs are abundant have more children than those living outside baobab zones, because they eat soup made from its leaves (rich in vitamins), which compensate for any deficiencies in their diet
Baobabs are also vital to elephants, monkeys and baboons that depend on its fruit (the vitamin C content of one fruit = 4 oranges).
Bats pollinate Baobabs, by crashing into the flowers while chasing insects.
Bush babies or galagos (Otolemur crassicaudatus) also spread the pollen which can be used as glue!
The seeds, rich in protein, calcium, oil and phosphates, can be roasted and grounded like coffee and young leaves are also high in calcium.
The fibrous trunk can be woven into rope mats and paper. Beer and tea can be made from the bark!.
