The Madagascar Plant Specialist Group was created in January 2002 and counts 40 national and international members. Since its creation, the Group has assessed the status of a number of Madagascar plant species for the IUCN Red List. With support from Conservation International Madagascar, species will continue to be assessed for future IUCN Red List updates. Currently, 68 species have been assessed and proposed for inclusion in the next Red List. Research on threatened species, especially those endemic and commercialized on the international market such as orchids, has also been undertaken.

The Group collaborates closely with different organizations and institutions including CITES, Missouri Botanical Garden, Conservation International, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris and Royal Botanic Garden Kew. In future, the Group will focus on continuing the revisions of Malagasy species for the Red List. A Conservation Assessment and Management Plan on certain taxonomic groups, with the help of international specialists is being planned.