During your stay at the Corail Noir, you will have a unique experience discovering the local species that populate our magnificent garden. We are delighted to present our new botanical trail, designed to offer you total immersion in the luxuriant nature of Madagascar.
Stroll through the peaceful paths of our garden and let yourself be guided by our species presentation booklet, available at reception. This comprehensive guide will help you learn more about the different plants you will encounter, as well as their traditional and medicinal uses. Our enthusiastic guides will also be on hand to answer any questions and share their knowledge about the fascinating properties of Madagascar’s plants.
The Corail Noir garden is home to a multitude of plant species. This diversification improves their resilience without having to resort to chemicals. The Madagascan people have developed considerable know-how to make the most of their plants. They are used for food, but also in traditional medicine to cure many illnesses.
In the garden, we of course find fruit trees (jackfruit, jamalac, cooctier, etc.) that are used for food, and especially the mango trees that delight our taste buds for weeks on end!
The harvest depends on the season. The rainy season in Nosy Be runs from December to March. This is followed by a drier period, but the island does not experience major droughts. The main purpose of vegetable gardens in Madagascar is self-consumption, followed by gifts to the family and supplying markets.
Mostly local species adapted to the climate are planted here (candelabra cactus, ylang ylang, bamboo, mantalia and badamier). These emblematic species provide shade and colour to our garden paths. Stroll among frangipani, Madagascar periwinkles, ixora and hibiscus…
Cananga odorata is a tree of the Annonaceae family, native to south-east Asia. It can reach 15-20 metres in height, but in cultivation it is generally pruned to 2 or 3 metres to facilitate flower picking. It generally grows in warm, moist and sunny areas, from sea level up to 1200 metres altitude.
In Madagascar, it is in Nosy Be that the most Ylang Ylang plantations are to be found, hence the nickname ‘Perfume Island’. It is the island’s main agricultural resource. Madagascar produces more than 25% of the world’s ylang ylang. To obtain good quality, it must be harvested three days apart. In addition to its fragrance and its use in the perfume industry, ylang-ylang has relaxing, anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
If you want to know more, don’t hesitate to consult our local guides!
Our garden is home not only to exceptional flora, but also to a wide variety of fauna. As you stroll along the botanical trail, keep your eyes and ears open to see colourful birds, lizards, chameleons and many other creatures. Borrow our animal species booklet to identify and learn more about the inhabitants of our garden. This exploration is an ideal opportunity to observe Madagascar’s biodiversity up close and understand the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems.
This article is an opportunity to introduce you to the iconic Malagasy drongo (railovy in Malagasy), also known as the ‘king of birds’! It is a species of passerine bird in the dicruridae family. Both males and females are black, with a long forked tail and bright red eyes. They often live in groups. They are very agile and fast at catching their prey (mainly insects such as cicadas, termites or dragonflies). It can also imitate the calls of other animals, thus deceiving predators. It is sacred in Madagascar, where it is said to have saved a baby from a predator by imitating its cry.
Furcifer pardalis, a species of saurian endemic to Madagascar, is often found in the Corail Noir garden. It is one of the largest existing chameleons, measuring up to 55 cm. Its eyes can see in different directions, which is perfect for spotting its prey: crickets, locusts, beetles….
Females are opaque in colour, while males are green and turquoise blue in Nosy Be. This chameleon is oviparous and mates all year round. Females lay 15 to 30 eggs in a tunnel about ten centimetres long (perhaps at the foot of your bungalow?).
True to the practices of chameleons, it often changes its appearance: faced with a rival, it inflates its body and changes colour, indicating a change of mood.
If you want to know more, ask our local guides, who will be able to show you the animals around us and tell you a thousand fascinating anecdotes!
Whether you are a botany enthusiast, nature lover or simply looking for some peace and quiet, our botanical trail offers a rewarding and relaxing experience for everyone. It is an invitation to slow down, observe and connect with nature.
We invite you to discover this new attraction during your next visit to Corail Noir. You will take with you indelible memories and a greater understanding of Madagascar’s natural wonders.
For more information on our botanical trail and other activities available at Corail Noir, contact us or drop by reception.
14 Oct. 2024
08 Aug. 2024