Dendrophthora sumacoi
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Dendrophthora sumacoi faces significant pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Central American cloud forests. As an epiphytic mistletoe dependent on specific host trees, the species is particularly vulnerable to selective logging of mature forest canopies. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this cloud forest specialist, potentially shifting suitable habitat to higher elevations where host trees may be absent.
Habitat
This epiphytic mistletoe inhabits montane cloud forests, growing parasitically on the branches and trunks of various tree species in the forest canopy. It requires the consistently high humidity and frequent fog characteristic of cloud forest ecosystems at elevations typically between 1,500-2,500 meters.
