CR

Calendula maritima

Unknown

Overview

Calendula maritima, known as the sea marigold and trailing calendula, is a very rare species from the family of Asteraceae. Some scientists regarded it as Calendula suffruticosa subspecies maritima.

Calendula maritima faces severe threats from coastal development and tourism infrastructure along Sicily's Mediterranean coastline, which has destroyed much of its specialized sandy beach habitat. The species is further threatened by trampling from beachgoers and vehicles, while invasive plant species compete for the limited suitable coastal areas where this endemic calendula can survive.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic species occupies sandy beaches, coastal dunes, and maritime grasslands along the Mediterranean coast of Sicily. It thrives in well-drained sandy soils with high salt tolerance, typically growing within the immediate coastal zone where few other plant species can survive the harsh maritime conditions.

Artificial - Terrestrial· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationLegislation

Other threatened species in ASTERACEAE

EN

Bidens cosmoides

Declining
VU

Piptolepis monticola

Unknown
Libanothamnus parvulusCR

Libanothamnus parvulus

Declining
EN

Gynoxys neovelutina

Declining

Threatened in Italy

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
VU

Arum apulum

Declining
EN

Pipizella nigriana

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Calendula maritima classified as Critically Endangered?
Calendula maritima 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. Calendula maritima faces severe threats from coastal development and tourism infrastructure along Sicily's Mediterranean coastline, which has destroyed much of its specialized sandy beach habitat. The species is further threatened by trampling from beachgoers and vehicles, while invasive plant species compete for the limited suitable coastal areas where this endemic calendula can survive.
Where does Calendula maritima live?
Calendula maritima occurs in Italy. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Calendula maritima?
The main threats to Calendula maritima are 1.1, 8.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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