Lemurs..   Orchids..   Spices and spirits..   Birds..   Reptiles..

Lemurs

Black and white Lemur Vari (Varecia variegata variegata) Vulnerable species

Recognisable by its white flange and its black and white dense fur which protects him from rain, this big lemur weighing up to 5 kg for 60 cm is threatened by deforestation and hunting because of its eatable flesh. Tourism contributes today to its survival. Mainly frugivore, their territories are often found close to big and old fruit trees.

In Sainte-Marie Varis are not afraid of human presence and can be easily approached.

Mainly active at the beginning and the end of the day, this diurnal animal pushes powerful bellows that can be heard at several kilometres of distance. With a prehensible inch, skillful movements, this lemur's hands are quite like ours. In the same way, appreciating sun naps, its human-looking lustful poses enjoy photographer.

Eulemur fulvus albifrons

Middle-sized, the Eulemur fulvus albifrons possesses a short and brown fur on the body, black on the muzzle and slightly more long and white on the face and the neck. This species of lemur has certainly been introduced to Sainte Marie. A group of some individuals has been observed in the forest not far from the Cocoteraie hotel. Wild, this fast and agile animal possesses a sharp sense of territoriality and its approach remains difficult. The albifrons is rather arboreal but doesn't balk to move on the soil if necessary. He eats some fruits, but also small reptiles, mushrooms' leaves, bugs and sometimes ground.

Cheirogale

The cheirogale or chirogale is a lemur as big as a squirrel , with a redhead fur and black encircled eyes. Nocturnal and solitary, he eats fruits and nectars of flowers encouraging thus the pollination. Its main predator is the boa (innocuous for the man), it is the reason why this animal rather slow is arboreal. Generally, you meet the chirogale at a dozen of meters from the soil. Relatively common to Sainte Marie the Cheirogaleus has the particularity to stock reserves of grease in his tail which allow him to pass the winter in half hibernation, hence its English name: “Fat Tailed Dwarf Lemur”.

Microcebus or Mouse-Lemur

With their big black eyes, their long tail, their reddish brown fur and their clearer under-stomach, the microcebus of Sainte Marie (microcebus rufus) have the appearance of small cuddly toys. As big as a thumb, these lemurs are one of the smallest primate of the world species . From the twilight, the microcebus is visible on the trees whose fruits are mature, not far from the primary forest and in the vicinity of the Masoandro Lodge hotel. The mangoes season, from November to February, corresponds to the period during which it is easier to observe these adorable animals who live in group of 2 to 9 individuals.

Orchids

The orchids constitute one of the biggest families of the Malagasy flora. About 1 000 species have been counted among which more than 90% are endemic to the big island. New varieties of orchids are described every year and it is estimated that 200 to 300 will still be like this during the next years. Unfortunately, the traditional practices of slash and burn agriculture encouraging the deforestation put in danger their specific natural habitat. Besides, a lot of Malagasy orchids are so beautiful that they are too much picked and threaten to die out today. Among these species in way of disappearance, two are native of Sainte Marie Island.

Queen orchid of Madagascar

The Eulophiella roempleriana or Queen of Madagascar is one of the biggest Malagasy orchids. Endemic of the "Ile aux Nattes", it is a very rare epiphytic species. This inshore plant has for essential support the Pandanuses of which it imitates the leaves. Decorative, its inflorescence that sometimes reach more than 1m20, carry spectacular clusters which presents each 15 to 25 mauve and red obstinate flowers with a delicate fruity perfume . The Napoléon hotel owns several specimens in the natural state of this marvel that blooms from September to November. The species, in way of extinction, is preserved and its picking is forbidden.

Black orchid

The Cymbidiella falcigera or Black Orchid is an epiphytic plant with long rhizomes that clings with its roots in the scales of the trunk of raffias palms. With its black and green flowers, from December to January, this species dresses with so few common colours among the orchids, that they confer it an important value for collectors. This characteristic encouraging its picking put it today in the category of the species in way of disappearance .
The association flower -mushroom - bug governs the life of these plants, characterised by the floral trilogy. To germinate, the minuscule seed of orchid destitute of albumen needs the presence of a mushroom. This one remains then indispensable to the adult plant of which it only colonises the peripheral zone of the root. Besides, the majority of the orchids requires the intervention of a bug (butterfly, bee) or the men to reproduce. It is the case of vanilla whose flower is pollinated by hand.

Vanilla

Vanilla Planifolia is a liana orchid, epiphytic and native to Mexico, which was imported to Madagascar for the production of vanilla. Today it is cultivated there in mass and actually, Madagascar is the main world exporter. Its vanilla is reputed to have an excellent quality. Each of our hotels possesses its plantations of vanilla and our gardeners will enjoy to show you the secret of its manual fertilisation from November to January.

Spices and spirits

Ravintsara (Ravensara aromat.)

Endemic of Madagascar, the ravintsara can be seen along the east coast of the red island as well as on the slopes of Sainte-Marie. Coming from "ravina" which means "leaf" and "tsara" which qualifies it "good", the tree's name indicates that it's the Malagasy autochtones who first discovered its virtues. The fruit carried by its gray branches contains a yellow almond with stimulative properties. Its dark green leaves are used as spice and have a mentholated and aphrodisiac flavour. But it is mostly the spirit extracted from the oval and lanceolate leaves which makes the tree so famous, in fact the ravintsara essential oil is an efficient relaxing as for massage for tradi-practicians.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Presl.)

Of the same family as the bay-tree and the camphor tree, the cinnamon-tree comes from the island of Ceylon but is particularly widespread in Madagascar. Always green, this tropical tree reproduce itself by animal dissemination on small bays that birds like. With a nice sweet and slightly pricking taste, cinnamon is a grated powder gotten from the highly aromatic bark of the tree. This spice is quite often used for cooking and for confectionery but also has many medicinal and homeopathic properties. Collected on the young branches about every two years, the cinnamon bark is rolled up while drying, taking a long orange tube shape which you will certainly see on the beautiful stalls of Sainte-Marie.

Clove tree (Syzigium aromaticum)

Splendid clove trees sometimes hundred year old scent the ways of Sainte-Marie with their warm and pleasant wooded perfume. Their persistent leaves are first yellow and green, then the back remains dark green whereas the surface exposed to sun initially pink becomes red as they mature. This harmonious mixture of colors gives you the illusion that these oval leaves shine as cast of gold and copper alloy. At five years the shrub's branches give its first claws: these non opened out flowers which are the cloves. The buds are manually picked when their pinkish colour becomes red. Then they are sun dried several weeks until they take a brown color. This spice called "bird tongue" was used in China since unmemorable times. Its many medicinal and culinary properties made of the clove the most expensive aromatics for a long time. It can be distilled with vapor to obtain eugenol. Nowadays its has a small economic value but some picturesque traditional stills still work in Sainte Marie.

Birds

Dronga

A malagasy legend relates that during an immense fire, God had called the birds to help while promising that the one who would extinguish the last flame would be named the king of the birds. The Dronga didn't participate in the rescue but rolled itself in the ash once the fire extinguished and then came to God. God, tricked by this stratagem, named it King of the birds. Actually, in spite of its small size (10 cm), thanks to its intrepidity and its agility, the Dronga is feared of the other birds, even of the crows and falcons. This incredible fowl also imitates a multitude of sounds, for example he knows how to move away the dogs by meowing like a cat. One also tells that during the repression of 1929, it had saved a mother and her child from a manhunt by simulating a baby's tears.

Reptiles

Uroplatus Fimbriatus

With its 30 cm, this flat gecko is the biggest of the Uroplates' family. It is arboreal and generally positioned on the trunk of trees, often invisible because well camouflaged. The Malagasy sometimes call this animal "taha-fisaka" which means demon. The concentric red streaks on silver, brown and gold background around its pupil gives to its big globular eyes a mottled return that accentuates its strange aspect. The fimbriatus flat gecko is the living reptile who possesses the most teeth. When it is disturbed, it gives out a powerful sound and adopts a position of intimidation while opening its long muzzle discovering a vivid red mouth. In spite of its nasty air, it is innocuous, and exclusively eats bugs.

Guide des randonnées de l'île Sainte Marie