Baobab trees look bizarre because they evolved to survive some of the harshest environments on Earth. Their enormous, swollen trunks act like natural water tanks, storing thousands of liters of water during rainy seasons to help them survive long droughts. The thick trunk also resists fire and reduces water loss. Their branches are relatively short and sparse, which minimizes the surface area exposed to the hot sun and dry air. Many species shed their leaves during dry periods, further conserving water. This unusual shape is the result of millions of years of adaptation to the dry savannas of Africa and Madagascar. What looks like a poorly resized tree is actually one of nature's most efficient designs for surviving extreme climates. Source (MLA): Wickens, G. E., and Pat Lowe. The Baobabs: Pachycauls of Africa, Madagascar and Australia. Springer, 2008. doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6431-9 Want more interesting content like this ? Follow gravitonomy :) #baobabs #science #evoluti...