Palm conservation in Madagascar

With about 170 species, all but five of them found nowhere else, Madagascar's palms are of global importance. They are also among the most spectacular and horticulturally desirable of all palms. So, like the orchids, they are threatened both by habitat loss and by over-collection.

Palms under threat

Dypsis ambositrae
About 20 individuals of this graceful palm survive but the main population is under threat from local people harvesting palm-hearts.

Beccariophoenix madagascariensis
A beautiful and very rare rainforest palm, sometimes felled just for its seed.

Ravenea louvelii
Less than 20 individuals survive in a degraded area of montane forest and there is little evidence that they are regenerating.

Find out more

Kew's palm conservation work in Madagascar

More plants

Back up to: palms

Plant profiles:

Ravenea musicalis

Dypsis ambositrae

On to: Useful and ornamental palms

See also

Orchids of Madagascar

Succulents of Madagascar

buy The Palms of Madagascar at kewbooks.com