Photograph: Dr. Claudia Romero
Baobab Bark Rug
Figure 3. This rug, impressive for its size (over 6 square meters) and artistic beauty, is made with the bark of baobab (Adansonia digitata). The marketing of baobab bark crafts is one of the only sources of income for rural communities in eastern Zimbabwe. Phloem fibers vary in color from light beige to dark pink. However, prior to weaving, they are dyed with root bark extracts from the brown ivory tree (Berchemia discolor).