Baobousa

Baobousa is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to the savanna regions of southern Africa. The genus was first described by botanist C. W. Smith in 1793, who noted its distinctive large, bottle-shaped trunk and seasonal leaf shedding. The type species, Baobousa africana, reaches heights of up to 30 metres and has a trunk circumference that can exceed 6 metres when mature.

The bark of Baobousa trees is smooth and pale grey, with fissures that deepen with age. The leaves are bipinnate, green and leathery, arranged in dense clusters along the branches. Flowering occurs in the dry season, producing fragrant, white to pale yellow flowers that are pollinated by various avian species, including the wattled honeyeater. The fruit is a woody capsule that splits into ridged segments, each containing a single seed encased in a sweet pulp that attracts fruit bats and other mammals.

Local communities utilize Baobousa wood for firewood, furniture, and traditional tools, while the bark is employed in folk medicine to treat minor ailments. The tree also serves ecological functions, providing habitat for faunal species and stabilizing soil in flood-prone areas. Although Baobousa is not currently listed as endangered, reports of overexploitation and land conversion for agriculture pose potential threats to its long‑term viability. Conservation efforts focus on sustainable harvesting guidelines and the establishment of protected reserves in key habitats.