Macolline Park
Macolline is a botanical nature park 3km from the town centre of Antalaha. The park, also known as Ambinany or Vinany, covers 10 hectares and has over 600 native and introduced plants and trees including precious and semi-precious species as well as a diverse fauna, such as chameleons, butterflies, insects, nocturnal lemurs.
Macolline Park was founded by Marie Hélène Kam Hyo, a pharmacist in Antalaha. A species of the Clerodendrum family (Lamiaceae) was discovered by her in the park in 2002 and the species was formally named Clerodendrum kamhyoa. These abundant small trees are an extraordinary sight at the peak of their flowering, with each trunk draped in clusters of long elegant white flowers.
Marie Hélène dubbed the plant “Lamariée” (“The Bride”). Flowering usually begins in April and continues until October with a peak period in May and July. The Clerodendrum kamhyoa plant has been assigned a preliminary status of “Endangered” by IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Conservation efforts at Macolline have significantly lowered its risk of extinction.
In 2008 Marie Hélène opened Macolline as a conservation and educational site with a well-maintained trail, offering visitors an opportunity to discover the botanical treasures and enjoy beautiful views from the ???-meters high hill.
A knowledgeable guide explains the different species and their uses in traditional Malagasy medicine. A short canoe ride on the Ankavanana River from behind the park offers a tour of a traditional brick-making facility.
Examples of plants and trees in the park include coffee (Arabica), Litchi sinensis, Canarium, Ficus tilifolia, Manguier – Mangifera indica & Asplenium nidus (fougère nid d'oiseau), Uapaca sp, Pandanus sp, Bismarckia nobilis, Dypsis crinita, Phyllartron antongilensis, Jacquier – Artocarpus heterophyllus.
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