Macolline is a 10-hectare nature park at the northern end of Antalaha, 3km before the town-centre. The park, which is located on a hill, has over 600 native and introduced plants and trees, including many precious and semi-precious species as well as a varied fauna, including chameleons, butterflies, insects, nocturnal lemurs. A visit to Antalaha would be incomplete without a visit to Macolline Park.
Macolline Park was founded by Marie Hélène Kam Hyo, a pharmacist in Antalaha. A remarkable species of Clerodendrum (Lamiaceae) from Madagascar was discovered her here in 2002.
The abundant small trees are an extraordinary sight at the peak of flowering, with each trunk clothed with long elegant white flowers.
Marie Hélène dubbed the plant “Lamariée” [“The Bride”], and in 2008 she opened
her Macolline to the public as an environmental education and
conservation site.
