Fony Baobab (Adansonia rubrostipa)

Native to

Madagascar

Height

Up to 60 ft (often much smaller)

Also called

Fony

The Fony Baobab is the smallest in the genus. They typically grow no higher than 60 feet and are often stunted based on their environment — known for being smaller and more blobby in shape, which makes them a natural for bonsai.

The bark has a reddish to white hue. The palmate leaves cluster in only 3 to 5 and they have serrated, jagged edges.

The flowers are green on the outside and bright red within, with long tubes. Several Malagasy species, including this one, are adapted to be pollinated by long-tongued hawkmoths.

They have smaller round fruits with a thick, brown, hairy coating, which are used to make drinks. Some trees can yield up to 200kg of fruit per harvest.

Fony baobabs are found along the entire west coast of Madagascar, one of the more resilient varieties.

Other baobab species

African Baobab · Australian Baobab (Boab) · Grandidier's Baobab · Malagasy Baobab · Za Baobab · Suarez Baobab · Perrier's Baobab