Uncarina: the Mousetrap Tree – Andry Petignat

Recorded April 25th, 2025 at the CSSA Convention in San Diego.

Andry on Instagram:   / andry_petignat  

This talk graciously sponsored by CSSA Board Member Phuc Huynh

Andry Petignat has dedicated his life to protecting the unique flora of Madagascar's spiny forest and raising awareness about the urgent need to conserve this increasingly fragmented region. Born and educated in Toliara, southwestern Madagascar, Andry inherited a deep connection to the local environment from his father, who founded the Antsokay Arboretum in the early 1980s. Since 2003, Andry has continued his father’s legacy by managing the arboretum, which houses over 900 plant species, 90 percent of which are endemic to the spiny forests of southwest Madagascar. The arboretum plays a crucial role in the conservation of these endangered species.

With support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Andry has spearheaded several educational initiatives at the arboretum. These include the creation of an education center, the development of activities for school children and teachers, and the recruitment of local educators to raise awareness about the importance of plant diversity and sustainable natural resource management.

Currently, the arboretum is leading a project aimed at protecting and restoring a critical protected area in the Toliara region, furthering its mission to conserve Madagascar’s unique biodiversity.

Andry is also a co-author of several notable works, including Baobabs of the World, Guide to the Succulent Plants of Southwest Madagascar, and Baobabs de Madagascar.