Another wealth of Mad Palms

[Gtlevine]

One of the most memorable parts of my trip so far was Bruno and my hike up Mount Vatovavy. Bruno could not make it, but I pulled myself up the mountain by sticks and branches one step at a time. The hike was vertical from bottom to top for two torturous hours. The mountain almost killed me, I had fever and chills that night, definately only for the pysically and mentally tough. When I approached the top, the canopy began to shrink and there were palms everywhere, I dont know how many species I saw, it was just amazing. The ones I did remember were;

Dypsis Manangarensis the whole way, all with vivid mealy bug markings.

Ravenea Krociana

Ravenea Sambiranensis

Unknown Ravenea

Dypsis Basilonga

Dypsis Sahanofensis

I also saw two Dypsis I could not identify that were larger palms and two understory Dypsis I cant think of the name offhand without JDs book.

Dypsis Sahanofensis is awesome in habitat, as is Basilonga.

Dypsis Dean, you promissed you would help post my photos, it will be quite a task.

Allthough I have seen so many wonderful palms here, I cant leave out the sad reality that only five percent of the forest remains. You literally have to drive hours to get to virgin forest, most of Madagascar is either burnt, or burning. Nothing remains but but grassland, ricefields and the ravagers, thats Bruno and my term for Zebu.

Im heading north today, maybe I will be able to check back in soon.

Gary

[Dave-Vero]

A fresh paper (I think it's in Science) offers a bit of hope.  Forest is expanding on Madagascar--on lands where there is some religious/social reason to maintain forest, OR clear property rights.

[palmazon]

thanks for the update

(and thank G-d you're still alive...)

[Scott]

(Gtlevine @ May 04 2007,22:46)

QUOTE

Allthough I have seen so many wonderful palms here, I cant leave out the sad reality that only five percent of the forest remains. You literally have to drive hours to get to virgin forest, most of Madagascar is either burnt, or burning. Nothing remains but but grassland, ricefields and the ravagers, thats Bruno and my term for Zebu.

[BS Man about Palms]

I"ll just go ahead and thank God too.  

[PALM MOD]

Gary,

You sound like you died and went to heaven.

Heaven has web access??? Cool