Native from Mexico, the Opuntia ficus indica was first introduced into Madagascar by the French colonial forces in the late 18th century. The arid climate of the south of the island was a perfect home for the proliferation of these invasive species with one region being named after them ” Région des épines” due to the long yellow spines, commonly name “raketamena” in Malagasy.

In 1924, an invasion of the cochineal (Dactylopius sp.) wiped out the raketamena from many areas in southern Madagascar causing a collapse in pastoralism with cattle dying and a severe famine with population being decimated and migrating as a result of the epidemic.

To prevent another human disaster, new spineless and cochineal resistant Opuntia species were introduced and since became known as the miracle plant for its ability to survive during long droughts, to provide renewable sources of fodder and water for livestock as well as healthy fruits for families, the Prickly Pear.

The Opuntia story in Madagascar underlines the complexities associated with invasive plants and their impacts on human societies.