Mangroves
Madagascar hold about 20% of all Africa 's Mangroves, particularly important coastal vegetation type. They are now endagered. mangrove swamps are located in flat coastal areas where the ocean tides wash salt water high into the mouths of rivers which are bringing nutrient-rich soil down to the coast. For mgroves to thrive they also need to be some natural feature such as hilly terrain or a coral reef to shelter the coast from ocean storms and the monsoons.
Baobabs
Baobabs mainly occur in the western areas of the island and are in extreme danger due to habitat loss with A. Suarezansis and A. perrieri being in the most danger due to fact that the surviving populations are widely scattered and are not within any currently protected areas. Baobab trees reach heights of 16 to 98 feet and and have trunk diameters of 23 to 36 feet!
Bamboos
Madagascar has some fantastic endemic bamboos with 32 species currently reconized. Work is ongoing on the identification and naming of Malagasy bamboos but that is not unusual as the bamboo family worldwide is constantly being reassessed.
Podocarps
Species from a family of primitive pines known as Podocarps have grown on the island since the days of the dinosaurs. Madagascar has a number of native Podocarps, of which four endemic species or varieties are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants as either Vulnerable or Rare.
Traveler's Tree
Just like some water, for travelers. The bamboo branches are filled with water, but this water tastes terrible. The name "Traveler" is applied because the leaf bases accumulate water which is said to be drinkable for the people in need in the wilds of Madagascar.
Octopus Trees
The octpus tree is a distinctive, shrubby plant native to Madagascar that
exhibits long, cactus-like stems with prominent spines. Meant to keep animals
from consuming its precious water stores, the spines function much as cactus
spines do.
exhibits long, cactus-like stems with prominent spines. Meant to keep animals
from consuming its precious water stores, the spines function much as cactus
spines do.