Does any one have an Adansonia digitata out there?

I received my T&M seed catalog a few days ago and on page 41 I found a really neat photo of a tree. I sure don't recall ever having seen that tree in my life, well maybe on National Geographic or something. It's called the Upside-Down tree and when you see a photo of it, you'll know why. Awesome looking tree to grow for anyone in its native range.

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/adansondigit.htm

What's interesting is that these trees are often referred to as grotesque and may refer to this tree as "The Dead Rat Tree"? http://www.tfts.org/adansonia_digitata.htm I don't get this as I think they are wildly interesting. "In Africa. It is a tree that can provide, food, water, shelter and relief from sickness" yet it is referred to as "grotesque"? I read this, "Rainwater often collects in the clefts of the large branches, and travelers and local people often use this valuable source of water." I also read this, "The leaves are said to be rich in vitamin C, sugars, potassium tartrate, and calcium. They are cooked fresh as a vegetable or dried and crushed for later use by local people. The sprout of a young tree can be eaten like asparagus." And then I read this. "The seeds are also edible and can also be roasted for use as a coffee substitute. Caterpillars, which feed on the leaves, are collected and eaten by African people as an important source of protein. Wild animals eat the fallen leaves and fresh leaves are said to be good fodder for domestic animals. The fallen flowers are relished by wild animals and cattle alike. When the wood is chewed, it provides vital moisture to relieve thirst, humans as well as certain animals eat it in times of drought." And get this, "The bark on the lower part of the trunk often bears scars caused by local people who harvest and pound it to retrieve the strong fibre. The fibrous bark is used to make various useful items such as mats and ropes, fishing nets, fishing lines, sacks as well as clothing. Although the bark is often heavily stripped by people and elephants, these trees do not suffer as a normal tree would from ringbarking." I must be losing it but these African trees seem like they've got it all!

From a parent and an educator's standpoint, I thoroughly enjoyed the folklore that goes hand and hand with the tree. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/baobab.htm From this link, http://www.encounter.co.za/article/8.html I found this native legend, "Along the Zambezi, the tribes believe that when the world was young the Baobabs were upright and proud. However for some unknown reason, they lorded over the lesser growths.The gods became angry and uprooted the Baobabs , thrusting them back into the ground, root upwards. Evil spirits now haunt the sweet white flowers and anyone who picks one will be killed by a lion."

Tell me this isn't an awesome African tree?

I started an Adansonia digitata from seed in 1988. My "tree" is starting to get the swollen base, but the tree will never look like those trees growing in the african savanna.

My plant spends the winter in my cold basement and goes totally leafless during the winter. My tree spends its summers outside.

If started this tree from seed, the seed needs VERY high temperatures to germinate. 1988 was a very hot, dry summer here in Minnesota. I was living in a townhouse without air conditioning at the time and I had the seed in the plant room on the second floor of the townhouse. I bet the temperatures reached 110°F in that room (I had a paperweight melt/warp in the heat). Almost every seed germinated.

You're correct; a very cool, unusual tree full of folklore.
Mike

Glad I am not alone. I thought the tree was awesome. I won't be attempting to grow it but I can sure appreciatie it. Can you post a photo of your treasure?

Here is a not-so-good picture of my tree. The tree has been losing leaves for fall and because I don't have a greenhouse the tree is very tall and slender.
Mike

Hi There! That's just a baby yet! They say this is a very slow growing tree.

Yeah, it's a 16 year old baby. Very slow growing and even slower without ideal growing conditions.
Mike

Well, I am still in awe of your baby! Maybe some day both you and me will get greenhouses. Someday!