Ceroxylon quindiuense
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceroxylon_quindiuense
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Ceroxylon quindiuense faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation for agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in Colombia's montane cloud forests. The species is further threatened by selective logging for its valuable palm hearts and construction materials, while climate change is shifting suitable habitat zones upslope beyond the species' elevational range. Urban development and infrastructure projects continue to fragment remaining populations in the Cordillera Central.
Habitat
This endemic Colombian palm inhabits montane cloud forests between 1,800-3,000 meters elevation in the Cordillera Central of the Andes. It requires the persistent moisture and cool temperatures of these high-altitude cloud forest ecosystems, often growing on steep slopes with rich, well-drained volcanic soils.