Question

Which tree is also known as the ‘bottle tree’?
a. Cactus
b. Acacia
c. Baobab
d. Desert Ironwood

Answer 1

Hint: The bottle tree is native to Africa. They can be most easily identified by their swollen trunks. It is spectacularly large and can age beyond 1000 years. A tree which is 60 feet tall can have a foot trunk the diameter of which is 35 feet.

Complete answer:
Let us have a look at the options.
a. Cacti can occur in various shapes and sizes. They are mainly found in desert areas because of their ability to retain moisture within themselves for long and survive in dry conditions. However, its features are not similar to that of the ‘Bottle tree’. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
b. The acacia is a genus of large trees which are native to Africa and Australia. However, they are not found in Africa. It is not a correct option.
c. The Baobab is a tree native to Africa, with huge trunks and large spread. Due to its various uses, it is also called ‘the tree of life’. This is called the ‘bottle tree’ because of its structure. Hence, it is the correct option.
d. The desert ironwood, which is also called the ‘Olneya’ is a flowering tree native to the United States. Hence, this is also not a correct option.
Therefore, the correct answer is, ‘C. Baobab’.

Note: The name ‘bottle tree’ can be understood if we consider the shape of the Baobab tree. It has a huge trunk, which resembles the shape of a bottle, and in some cases, a narrower upper part of the trunk, which resembles the neck of a bottle.