Christiansen's Phragmipedium
CR

Christiansen's Phragmipedium

Phragmipedium christiansenianum

Declining

Photo: Photo: Orchi via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Phragmipedium christiansenianum faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, with its striking flowers making it highly sought after by collectors. The species' extremely limited range in the cloud forests of northern Peru makes entire populations vulnerable to overcollection. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and mining activities in the Amazonas region further threatens the remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This orchid species inhabits montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,800-2,400 meters in the Amazonas region of northern Peru. It grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte on moss-covered rocks and tree trunks in areas with high humidity and consistent moisture from cloud cover.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSite/area managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislation

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
VU

Disperis galerita

Declining

Threatened in Colombia

EN

Helena's Marsupial Frog

Gastrotheca helenae

Stable
VU

Cavendishia macrocephala

Unknown
EN

Cavendishia sessiliflora

Unknown
VU

Macleania crassa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Christiansen's Phragmipedium classified as Critically Endangered?
Christiansen's Phragmipedium 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. Phragmipedium christiansenianum faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, with its striking flowers making it highly sought after by collectors. The species' extremely limited range in the cloud forests of northern Peru makes entire populations vulnerable to overcollection. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and mining activities in the Amazonas region further threatens the remaining populations.
Where does Christiansen's Phragmipedium live?
Christiansen's Phragmipedium occurs in Colombia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Christiansen's Phragmipedium?
The main threats to Christiansen's Phragmipedium are 5.4, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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