Baobab Monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

extends for up to 6 weeks. However, there are no data sets confirming this
sequence for the wide range of baobab.
Essentially, flowering fits the particular climatic season; ranging from
October-December in Southern Africa; November-December in
Madagascar; sporadically through the year except January-March (dry
season) in Sudan; to May-June in Western Africa.
Once flowers have opened the calyx and corolla lobes curl back to expose
the stamens. The morning after flower opening, the calyx and corolla
straighten and re-cover the stamens. Flowers progressively wilt until the late
afternoon when the corolla is withered and falls off but the calyx persists. It
is thought that pollination occurs over a 16-20 h period (Wickens, 1982);
however anthesis may only last for less than 1 h (Baum, 1995 a).
Fruits develop 5-6 months after flowering. There are few data on age of trees
when first flowering begins. Wickens (1982) notes 16-17 years in South
Africa and 22-23 years in Zimbabwe. In part, lack of data is understandable
for long-lived perennial trees and noting the difficulties in estimating ages of
baobabs using simple girth measurements. Fruits tend to fall during the late
rainy season onwards.
2.2.1.1 Phenology of related species
The other species, compared to A. digitata, were examined by Baum in
Madagascar where they are endemic and to A. gibbosa in northern Western
Australia where it is endemic. Phenological comparisons are shown in table
2.1. Broad similarities can be noted.
19