Try GOLD - Free
The bizarre evolutionary roots of upside-down baobab trees revealed
How It Works UK
|Issue 192
The iconic 'upside-down' baobab tree first emerged on the island of Madagascar, new research into its tangled evolutionary history has revealed.
It's still not clear, however, how it jumped from Madagascar to Australia. The majestic baobab tree can grow to heights of 25 metres and can live thousands of years. It is often dubbed 'the tree of life' thanks to its amazing capacity to store water, provide food and even medicine from its leaves. However, the origins of the baobab have been shrouded in mystery, in part because it's found in multiple regions. One species, Adansonia digitata, is found in some 32 African countries, and another, A. gregorii, is found in northwestern Australia. The other six species are endemic to Madagascar.
This story is from the Issue 192 edition of How It Works UK.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM How It Works UK
How It Works UK
MAKING ICE IN THE DESERT
This genius ancient Persian technique kept ice frozen in sweltering conditions
2 mins
Issue 216
How It Works UK
ROBERT H.GODDARD
This physics professor defied the doubters and proved that rocket engines could work in outer space
2 mins
Issue 216
How It Works UK
With continued continental shift, what will Earth look like in 200 million years?
Over the next 250 million years, scientists predict that our planet's continents will converge and form a new supercontinent dubbed 'Pangaea Ultima', echoing the supercontinent Pangaea that existed 250 million years ago.
1 min
Issue 216
How It Works UK
SICK SKATEBOARD PHYSICS
What forces are at play when skateboarders catch air and land a clean trick?
2 mins
Issue 216
How It Works UK
THE LIBRARY
The latest book releases for curious minds
5 mins
Issue 216
How It Works UK
WHAT ARE CONJOINED TWINS?
Very rarely, twins are born physically connected to each other, sharing tissues and even entire organs
3 mins
Issue 216
How It Works UK
WHAT DETERMINES WHICH WAY ‘UP' PLANET EARTH IS?
A hot-air balloon consists of the envelope (the balloon), the burner and the basket.
1 min
Issue 216
How It Works UK
WHY DO CREEPY CRAWLIES COME OUT WHEN IT'S RAINING?
Earthworms crawl out onto the pavement because their burrows become waterlogged.
1 min
Issue 216
How It Works UK
MAKE COLOUR-CHANGING FLOWERS
Learn how plants transport water through their stems in this vibrant experiment
1 min
Issue 216
How It Works UK
DEADLY RADIATION- EATING FUNGUS
How a fungus in Chernobyl is thriving on nuclear fallout
1 mins
Issue 216
Listen
Translate
Change font size