Cuban tangle
Stegnosperma cubense
Cuban tangle (Stegnosperma cubense) is a rare endemic shrub or small tree native to Cuba, characterized by its distinctive tangled branching pattern and small, succulent-like leaves. This member of the Stegnospermaceae family produces small white or greenish flowers and plays an important role in its native dry forest ecosystems by providing shelter and food resources for local wildlife.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) verorico, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Family
Stegnospermataceae
Genus
Stegnosperma
Cuban tangle belongs to the family Stegnospermataceae, order Caryophyllales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Cuban tangle (Stegnosperma cubense) is a rare endemic shrub or small tree native to Cuba, characterized by its distinctive tangled branching pattern and small, succulent-like leaves. This member of the Stegnospermaceae family produces small white or greenish flowers and plays an important role in its native dry forest ecosystems by providing shelter and food resources for local wildlife.
Cuban tangle (Stegnosperma cubense) faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Cuba. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented and isolated.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Cuban tangle grows in dry limestone forests and rocky coastal areas, typically establishing itself in crevices and shallow soils over limestone substrates. It thrives in areas with good drainage and partial shade provided by the forest canopy, often found on hillsides and coastal bluffs where few other plants can survive the harsh, drought-prone conditions.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Cuban tangle (Stegnosperma cubense) faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in Cuba. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented and isolated.
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Habitat loss from urban development
Population fragmentation
Climate change impacts on coastal habitats
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Cuban tangle (Stegnosperma cubense). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/cuban-tangle