Living BeingsCompare species
Coast Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
African Baobab
Adansonia digitata
How to compare two organisms
Choose two species and trace their closest shared group. Then compare a trait with the same definition on each side. Check the units, life stage and context before interpreting a measurement or range.
Missing data means that the collection lacks a sourced value. Where a characteristic does not apply to a lineage, the comparison labels it separately. Open the two profiles for context and follow their sources before drawing a conclusion.
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | Coast Redwood | African Baobab |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | A tall trunk bears fibrous reddish bark and a crown of needle-like foliage. Small woody cones distinguish it as a seed-bearing conifer rather than a flowering tree. | Thick, fibrous bark surrounds a broad trunk. Each compound leaf has several leaflets radiating from a central point. |
| Habitat and range | Sheltered valleys, stream corridors and moist coastal slopes support redwood forest. Site moisture strongly influences growth. | A terrestrial tree of tropical Africa, it is adapted to seasonally dry conditions and is also planted in gardens and settlements. |
| Diet and nutrition | Foliage captures light for photosynthesis. Roots draw water and dissolved nutrients from the soil. | Leaves produce sugars through photosynthesis. Water and mineral nutrients are taken up through the roots. |
| Reproduction and life cycle | Seeds released from cones can establish seedlings. New shoots can also arise from the root crown or dormant buds, so regeneration is not limited to seeds. | Large, hanging white flowers develop into capsules containing seeds embedded in pale, powdery pulp. New trees can be grown from seed. |
| Geographic distribution | Its natural range follows coastal northern and central California into southwestern Oregon. Planted redwoods occur well outside that range. | 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 | Large living trees and fallen wood create persistent forest structure and varied habitats. | 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 | Thick bark and the ability to sprout can aid survival or recovery after disturbance. These traits do not make redwoods immune to severe fire. | A substantial trunk and drought-resistant growth form help distinguish this tree from many humid-forest trees. |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: Spermatophyta.