Living BeingsCompare species
Thale Cress
Arabidopsis thaliana
African Baobab
Adansonia digitata
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | Thale Cress | African Baobab |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | Small rosette leaves, slender flowering stems and white, four-petalled flowers characterize the plant. Long, narrow fruits contain many small seeds. | Thick, fibrous bark surrounds a broad trunk. Each compound leaf has several leaflets radiating from a central point. |
| Habitat and range | Open, disturbed ground and other relatively sparse vegetation provide growing sites. Laboratory accessions represent only part of natural diversity. | A terrestrial tree of tropical Africa, it is adapted to seasonally dry conditions and is also planted in gardens and settlements. |
| Diet and nutrition | Leaves manufacture sugars by photosynthesis. Stored seed reserves support the seedling before its leaves become established. | Leaves produce sugars through photosynthesis. Water and mineral nutrients are taken up through the roots. |
| Behavior and activity | Flowering responds to inherited differences and environmental conditions, including temperature history and day length. | Data unavailable |
| Reproduction and life cycle | Plants usually self-pollinate. Depending on genotype and conditions, a laboratory generation can be completed within weeks; wild seasonal cycles differ. | Large, hanging white flowers develop into capsules containing seeds embedded in pale, powdery pulp. New trees can be grown from seed. |
| Geographic distribution | Native populations occur in Africa, Asia and Europe; the species is naturalized in other regions. | Native to Africa and cultivated elsewhere. The accompanying photograph shows a planted specimen in Madagascar; that location should not be confused with the native range of every baobab species. |
| Ecological role | This small annual exploits gaps where competition is limited. Seed dormancy helps bridge unsuitable periods. | Its flowers, fruit and extensive woody structure provide biological resources. The familiar name baobab also applies to other species, which should not be confused with this one. |
| Distinctive adaptations | A short generation time, small size and abundant seed production facilitate both colonization and genetic research. | A substantial trunk and drought-resistant growth form help distinguish this tree from many humid-forest trees. |
| Conservation | Research stocks are not substitutes for conserving natural genetic diversity. No formal threat category is inferred from laboratory abundance. | Data unavailable |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: malvids.