8 plants worth knowing
Senegal
Senegal lies at the westernmost tip of Africa, where the Sahel meets the moister savannas. The north is the dry Ferlo steppe with its acacias, the centre of the country is parkland savanna with baobabs and groundnut fields, while in the south, in Casamance, there are forests with palms and extensive mangroves, as there are in the Saloum Delta.
Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.
where it grows
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1
African baobab
Adansonia digitata
The tree on Senegal’s coat of arms – a barrel-thick trunk, fruit known as “monkey bread” and a lifespan counted in centuries.
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2
Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
The tree that gave the capital its name – Dakar comes from the Wolof word “dakhar”, meaning tamarind.
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3
Gum arabic tree
Senegalia senegal
A thorny acacia that bears the country’s name and yields gum arabic – used in drinks, sweets and watercolour paints.
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4
Peanut
Arachis hypogaea
Groundnuts have been Senegal’s main crop since the 19th century – a whole region in the centre of the country is simply called the “groundnut basin”.
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5
Roselle
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Its fleshy, ruby-red calyces make bissap – a deep red drink regarded as Senegal’s unofficial national beverage.
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6
Rice
Oryza sativa
Rice with fish – ceebu jën – is Senegal’s national dish, inscribed on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
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7
Pearl millet
Cenchrus americanus
In Senegal pearl millet is made into ceere couscous, sweet thiakry and ngalax – a festive dessert prepared for Easter.
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8
Senegal mahogany
Khaya senegalensis
Named after the country, Senegal mahogany shades the avenues of Senegalese towns, and its bitter bark has long been used to treat fever.
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