Cyrtochilum melanthes
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Cyrtochilum melanthes 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. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this orchid's survival 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 moss-covered tree trunks and branches in areas with consistent high humidity and frequent fog cover.
Other threatened species in Orchidaceae
Threatened in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
Why is Cyrtochilum melanthes classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Cyrtochilum melanthes live?
What are the main threats to Cyrtochilum melanthes?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.