Boabab Tree, Pungudutivu

                                               The Boabab tree is situated on the Western coast of Irruppiddy, Pungudutivu. It is a popular tree because of its age and shape. The baobab tree is an introduced species. It is being protected in Sri Lanka given its rarity and antiquity. It is believed that this tree has been brought to Sri Lanka by Arabian Traders. There are over 40 Baobab trees surviving in Sri Lanka. Two species are found in Jaffna District; one among them, is found in Punguditivu. It is evaluated that most of Baobab trees are to be 300-400 years old. It is native to Africa, Madagascar, and Australia. This tree in Sri Lanka is called as Elephant tree because its shape is like a trunk and generally referred as bottle tree and monkey bread tree. It is called in Tamil as “Perukka Maram”.