VU

Dendrophthora polyantha

Unknown

Overview

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

Dendrophthora polyantha faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Central American cloud forests. As an obligate parasitic plant dependent on specific host trees, it is particularly vulnerable to selective logging that removes its preferred hosts. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for cloud forest ecosystems where this mistletoe thrives.

Threat summary

Habitat

This parasitic mistletoe inhabits montane cloud forests and humid tropical forests at elevations between 1,200-2,500 meters. It grows as an epiphytic parasite on various tree species, particularly favoring branches of mature forest trees in areas with consistent moisture and fog cover.

Other threatened species in SANTALACEAE

VU

Okoubaka michelsonii

Unknown
EN

Santalum haleakalae

Declining
VU

Coastal Bastard Toad-flax

Thesium maritimum

Stable
Exocarpos luteolusCR

Exocarpos luteolus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dendrophthora polyantha classified as Vulnerable?
Dendrophthora polyantha is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Dendrophthora polyantha faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Central American cloud forests. As an obligate parasitic plant dependent on specific host trees, it is particularly vulnerable to selective logging that removes its preferred hosts. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for cloud forest ecosystems where this mistletoe thrives.
Where does Dendrophthora polyantha live?
Dendrophthora polyantha occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Dendrophthora polyantha?
The main threats to Dendrophthora polyantha are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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