What is an upside-down tree, not of the Christmas tree variety?

The upside-down tree According to African legend, the Baobab wanted to become the most beautiful tree of all. When it realized that this was not possible, it put its head into the ground, so only the roots pointed heavenward. Another legend holds that when the Baobab was planted by God, it kept walking, so God pulled it up and replanted it upside down to stop it moving. The baobab (Adansonia digitata) is indigenous to the semi-arid part of sub-Saharan African and Madagascar. It can grow up to 25 meters tall and can live for over a thousand years. The baobab is leafless for nine months of the year. If one were to describe the baobab, you would have to say that it looks like it has been picked out of the ground and stuffed back in upside-down. The trunk would be the tap-root, and the branches the finer capillary roots. The baobab looks like this for a reason. In the wet months water is stored in its thick, corky, fire-resistant trunk for the nine dry months ahead. Today the tree with ...  more