Cyrtochilum exasperatum
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Cyrtochilum exasperatum faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests across its Andean range are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. The species' specialized epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it requires mature trees with stable microclimates for survival. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes and temperature patterns essential for this orchid's growth in high-altitude cloud forest ecosystems.
Habitat
This epiphytic orchid inhabits cloud forests and montane forests at elevations between 1,500-3,000 meters in the Andes. It grows on tree trunks and branches in areas with high humidity and frequent fog, requiring the stable microclimates provided by mature forest canopies.