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Madagascar flora
Madagascar is home to as many as 12,000 plant species -- 70-80% of which are endemic -- making it one of the most diverse floras on the planet (for comparison, tropical Africa has 30,000-35,000 species and covers almost 35 times as much area as Madagascar source). Take a look at this sampling of Madagascar's plant richness:
- 10 families and 260 genera of plants are endemic to Madagascar. Only Australia (with 13) has more endemic species of plants.
- 165 of Madagascar's 170 palms are not found anywhere else. For comparison, mainland Africa has less than 60 species of palm
- Of the 8 species of baobab found in the world, six are endemic to Madagascar
- An entire family of plants, the Didiereaceae is unique to Madagascar. Didiereaceae plants are found in the arid southwest and closely resemble some forms of cacti. Unlike catci though, they produce small deciduous leaves which are protected by meanacing thorns and spines that grow directly out of the plant's many branches.
- 95% of the species found in the Spiny desert exist only in this habitat unique to Madagascar.
- Madagascar has nearly 1000 known species of orchids, of which 85% are endemic.
- Anti-cancer drugs (vincristine, vinblastine) derived from the Madagascar rosy periwinkle generated over a billion dollars in revenue for Eli Lilly & Co.
Ecosystems in Madagascar
Map showing land cover / vegetation types in Madagascar
Ecosystems in Madagascar - by park
Forest types in Madagascar
Forest classification table for Madagascar
The Missouri Botanical Garden has an excellent collection of photos and information on Madagascar's flora. Below are some links to Missouri Botanical Garden content.
Find a mistake? Want to submit pictures or content? Contact WildMadagascar.org
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WILDMADAGASCAR.ORG
WildMadagascar.org aims to raise interest in Madagascar, a land of cultural and biological richness
SUPPORT
You can help support wildmadagascar.org by using this link to buy from Amazon.com.
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This portable guide offers a full survey of all Madagascar's mammals, both endemic and introduced, including many newly identified species. With vivid color photographs, line illustrations, and maps, Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide is an essential book for any visitor.
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GEAR
Madagascar Wildlife T-shirt
Dancing lemurs T-shirt
Madagascar Chameleons Calendar
Madagascar wildlife bag
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