Cyrtandra raiateensis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Cyrtandra raiateensis faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter forest understory conditions essential for its survival. Habitat degradation from feral ungulates, particularly pigs and goats, damages the forest floor and creates disturbance that favors invasive species establishment. The species' extremely limited range on Raiatea makes it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and localized habitat destruction.
Habitat
This endemic species inhabits humid montane forests on the island of Raiatea in French Polynesia, typically found in shaded understory environments with rich, well-drained soils. It occurs at elevations between 400-800 meters in native forest remnants dominated by indigenous tree species.