Succulents of Madagascar

The Spiny Forest in the semi-arid south and south west of Madagascar is home to most of Madagascar's succulent plants - cactus-like species such as euphorbias, which store water in swollen stems and fleshy leaves. More than 85 per cent of the plant species here are unique to Madagascar, and many of them have important local medicinal uses.

This unique vegetation is under tremendous threat because of the demand for wood for fencing materials and charcoal production, and succulent plants are under additional pressure from collection from the wild.

Succulent plants under threat

Aloe descoingsii ssp. augustina
Discovered in 1998 and known only from one locality this endangered plant has narrow, grey-green leaves and striking orange flowers.

Euphorbia tulearensis
This rare and beautiful species is highly sought-after by collectors and is now only known from two or three places in the same area.

Alluaudiopsis marnieriana
A typical shrub of the Spiny Forest, but its habitat is particularly vulnerable to destruction through charcoal production and land clearance for pasture.

Aloe suzannae
Night-blooming succulent, severely threatened in its natural habitat.

Ceropegia petignatii
Low-growing succulent, prone to damage from cattle grazing and charcoal burning.

Euphorbia parvicyathophora
Rare in cultivation, and known from only one inaccessible locality.

Find out more

Plant profile: Aloe suzannae

Kew's succulent conservation work in Madagascar

More plants

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See also

Palms of Madagascar

Orchids of Madagascar