Hyderabad does not just boast of famous localities, African Cavalry (AC) Guards and Habsiguda (named after Abyssinia or Ethiopia), but also its rich biodiversity thanks to its “African connection”.
The Nizams had employed soldiers and servants from Africa and some of them had brought “flora mementos” with them to Hyderabad. The best-known flora or tree memento is the baobab tree, native of Madagascar. Popularly known as the elephant tree or Haati ka jhar, the baobab is now an endangered species in Andhra Pradesh. Outside Hyderabad, the tree is revered as “kalpavriksha” in parts of the State.

Two of these kalpavriksha trees were felled during the lane widening of the Vijayawada-Hyderabad National Highway and laying of the Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad. Now only four baobab trees remain in the State, one of them in the Golconda Fort. Baobab is scientifically called Adansonia digitata and many people in Andhra Pradesh believe it has magical or mystical powers. These trees are more than 150 years old.

Another African tree quite popular for its lovely reddish-orange flowers is Spathodea campanulata or the African tulip tree. Though it is an alien invasive species, it failed to spread much in the State. Its existence is also threatened. A number of bird species depend on this African tree. Says Dr Shaik Mahmood, head of department of botany, Nizam College, Osmania University, “These exotic plant species have made Hyderabad their home. They are of great environmental and taxonomical importance and add to the local biodiversity. We need to protect the remaining endangered trees from extinction.”

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Cities> Hyderabad / DC,  Hyderabad / September 28th, 2012