Photo - Linda Ross
The Australian boab tree (Adansonia gregorii) is related to the Madagascan and African baobabs. It’s sometimes called a bottle tree, and it does
look similar to the Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) though it’s no relation. A mature boab tree is a majestic sight.
Though it doesn't grow exceptionally tall, just up to 15 metres, the trees appear huge because of their swollen trunks. These can
reach 20 metres in diameter. They are slow-growing and long-lived so that many of those around Broome and the Kimberly, and from Darwin to Katherine,
were mature long before white settlers first marvelled at their majesty.
Text: Linda Ross