The Arboretum d’Antsokay, located near Toliara in southwestern Madagascar, is a 20-hectare botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and interpretation of the unique spiny forest ecosystem. Founded in the 1980s, the arboretum hosts a living collection of more than 900 plant species, of which approximately 90% are endemic to the region. The collection is particularly rich in drought-adapted woody and succulent plants, including emblematic families such as Didiereaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Apocynaceae. Many of these species are threatened in the wild and play an essential role in preserving Madagascar’s exceptional botanical heritage. The arboretum also highlights the cultural and medicinal importance of plants, with a large proportion of species traditionally used by local communities.

The site serves both as a conservation area and an educational resource, offering visitors an immersive experience of the spiny forest through guided tours and interpretation. Its collections are carefully documented, with representative individuals labeled and recorded to support long-term monitoring and knowledge sharing. Beyond ex-situ conservation, the arboretum is actively involved in habitat restoration and community-based initiatives in surrounding landscapes, reinforcing its role as a regional hub for conservation and environmental awareness.