In almost every article about Madagascar—whether in blogs, magazines, or other media, online or in print ,one word keeps coming up : “unique.” There’s no escaping it! But why is this term so widely used ?
Several theories attempt to explain this. Some describe Madagascar as a country stuck in the past, whose slow development makes it seem like a relic of the Middle Ages. Others call it the land of the unexpected due to the many surprises that can arise during any trip. Some might assume this label comes from its lemurs, but if history is anything to go by, other countries have them too—though Madagascar is home to the greatest diversity.
However, if there’s one aspect that makes Madagascar undeniably unique, it’s its exceptional flora. In 2018, the Catalogue des Plantes de Madagascar listed 343 families of vascular plants and bryophytes, representing around 12,000 known species. And that’s just the beginning ,many plant groups remain insufficiently studied.
But here’s what’s truly impressive : 83% of Madagascar’s vascular plants are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else on Earth! Among them, five entire plant families are found exclusively on the island: Asteropeiaceae, Barbeuiaceae, Physenaceae, Sarcolaenaceae, and Sphaerosepalaceae. Additionally, 96% of Madagascar’s trees and shrubs are also endemic.
So, now do you see why Madagascar is so often described as unique ?
