Acanthophippium sinense
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Acanthophippium sinense faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in southern China and Southeast Asia. The species is particularly vulnerable to collection pressure for traditional medicine and the ornamental plant trade, as terrestrial orchids are highly sought after by collectors. Deforestation and conversion of its specialized forest floor habitats have fragmented remaining populations, making recovery increasingly difficult.
Habitat
This terrestrial orchid inhabits the forest floor of humid, shaded tropical and subtropical forests, typically growing in leaf litter and organic-rich soils. It requires specific mycorrhizal associations and stable moisture conditions found in undisturbed primary and mature secondary forests.