Environment: the eighth species of baobab from Australia at the LFT of Antananarivo

Adansonia gregorii, a species of baobab from Australia, was planted yesterday at the “Lycée Français d’Antananarivo” (LFT), an event attended by the French Ambassador, Jean Marc Châtaigner. This is the eighth species of baobab that will complete the collection of baobab trees already planted inside this institution.

Among this collection, 6 are endemic to Madagascar. These are namely, the Adansonia grandidieri, Adansonia rubrostipa, Adansonia madagascariensis, Adansonia Perriere, Adansonia Za and Adansonia suarezensis. Among others, there is the Adansonia digitata or baobab of Africa that is present in 31 African countries, particularly in the driest regions of sub-Saharan Africa. “This event is the start of the institution’s 40th anniversary celebration,” declared Sophie de Foucault, an official inside the LFT.

After planting the new species of baobab, a conference on the baobabs of Madagascar was held in the auditorium of the LFT, during which the guest-speaker, Pascal Danthu, spoke of the usefulness of the baobab and the value it represents to Madagascar. “The baobab fruit is very rich in vitamins, it contains six times more vitamin C than lemons,” he said.

Baobabs have always increased the reputation of Madagascar in terms of botany. Indeed, 4 000 tourists per year come specifically to Madagascar to admire the Alley of baobabs located in Morondava. Despite the size of these giant trees, they are classified as the most endangered trees. Therefore, we must strengthen the safeguarding of such valuable national heritage.