Africa's wooden elephant: the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) in Sudan and Kenya: a review

作者：Gebauer Jens^*; Adam Yahia O; Sanchez Aida Cuni; Darr Dietrich; Eltahir Muneer E S; Fadl Kamal E M; Fernsebner Gabriele; Frei Michael; Habte Tsige Yohannes; Hammer Karl; Hunsche Mauricio; Johnson Henry; Kordofani Maha; Krawinkel Michael; Kugler Florian; Luedeling Eike; Mahmoud Tarig E; Maina Anthony; Mithoefer Dagmar; Munthali Chimuleke R Y; Noga Georg; North Rabea; Owino Willis O; Prinz Kathleen; Rimberia Freda K; Saied Amina; Schuering Martin; Sennhenn Anne

来源：Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2016, 63(3): 377-399.

DOI：10.1007/s10722-015-0360-1

• Adansonia digitata
• Agroforestry
• Ethnobotany
• Fruit
• Indigenous fruit tree (IFT)
• Nutrition
• Up-side down tree
• Sub-Sahara

Wild edible fruits hold great potential for improving human diets, especially in agricultural societies of the developing world. In Africa, a well-known supplier of such fruits is the baobab (Adansonia digitata L., Malvaceae), one of the most remarkable trees of the world. Several studies in different African countries have highlighted this indigenous fruit tree as a priority species for domestication and expanded use. However, internationally available information on baobab in East Africa, particularly in Sudan and Kenya, remains scarce. This review aims to shed light on the ecology, diversity and current level of utilization of baobab in East Africa in order to facilitate domestication and conservation of the species. A list of priority research areas is provided at the end of the review to encourage further studies and investment in this unique plant taxon.

• 出版日期2016-3