Madagascar’s flora

Didierea trollii

The cactus-like succulent Didierea trollii is native to the spiny forest of sub-arid southwestern Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa.

Madagascar's spiny forest

Madagascar is a globally important biodiversity ‘hotspot’, home to more than 12,000 plant species within an area the size of France. Over 90% of these are endemic species, which are unique to this single island.

Agriculture in Madagascar

The spiny forest, and the plants and animals within it, are under severe threat from vegetation clearance for subsistence agriculture and charcoal production. Almost a third of the forest has disappeared since the 1970s.

Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank

Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) team work with local partners in Madagascar to collect and conserve seeds from plants in the wild. They focus on species that are the most threatened or the most potentially useful.

Vegetation map of Madagascar

The MSB has also collaborated on a major project to map vegetation across the island. This publicly available resource will help scientists monitor changes in Madagascar’s flora and plan future conservation efforts.