CR

Buddleja formosana

Unknown

Overview

Buddleja curviflora is a deciduous shrub native to southern Japan and Taiwan, where it grows in thickets on stony slopes at elevations of 100–300 m. B. curviflora was named and described Hooker and Arnott in 1838. Plants in Taiwan have been described as a separate species Buddleja formosana and assessed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, but the distinction is not recognized by Li and Leeuwenberg, who sank formosana as a synonym.

Buddleja formosana faces severe habitat destruction from rapid urbanization and agricultural expansion across its native range in Taiwan and southeastern China. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented by infrastructure development and land conversion. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the montane forest ecosystems where this shrub naturally occurs.

Threat summary

Habitat

Buddleja formosana inhabits montane forests and forest edges at elevations between 1,000-2,500 meters in Taiwan and southeastern China. The species typically grows in well-drained soils along forest margins, clearings, and disturbed areas within its native temperate forest ecosystem.

Shrubland· major

Other threatened species in SCROPHULARIACEAE

VU

Buddleja fragifera

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CR

Myoporum stokesii

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CR

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Scrophularia capillaris

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VU

Verbascum litigiosum

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Buddleja formosana classified as Critically Endangered?
Buddleja formosana is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Buddleja formosana faces severe habitat destruction from rapid urbanization and agricultural expansion across its native range in Taiwan and southeastern China. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented by infrastructure development and land conversion. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns affecting the montane forest ecosystems where this shrub naturally occurs.
Where does Buddleja formosana live?
Buddleja formosana occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Buddleja formosana?
The main threats to Buddleja formosana are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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