The Baobab tree, known as Guinea Almond or Guinea Tamarind, was brought to our islands from Africa where it is held in high esteem as a sacred tree due to its unique appearance and importance as a source of food, water, shelter and fiber. African legend tells that the Baobab looks so strange because it was planted upside down when the world was created.
In Africa, it is often found in the center of villages, serving as a meeting place just as the Baobab in Grove Place, St. Croix, has been the gathering place for meetings of workers from early days of the Island's labor movement.
The oblong velvet-like fruit, which hang down
singly on drooping stalks like a rat caught by its
tail lend the name "Dead Rat Tree".
The flowers open at night and are pollinated by bats.
St. Croix is not the only Caribbean Island with Baobab trees but may have more than other islands.
