CR

Digitalis chalcantha

Declining

Overview

Digitalis chalcantha is a flowering evergreen shrub in the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to the Canary Islands, specifically Gran Canaria.

Digitalis chalcantha faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting its specialized habitat requirements. Collection pressure for horticultural purposes has historically impacted wild populations of this rare foxglove species.

Threat summary

Habitat

Digitalis chalcantha inhabits rocky slopes, cliff faces, and mountainous terrain in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. The species typically grows in well-drained, calcareous soils at moderate to high elevations where it can access adequate moisture while avoiding waterlogged conditions.

Conservation measures underway

Species reintroductionLegislation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Digitalis chalcantha classified as Critically Endangered?
Digitalis chalcantha is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Digitalis chalcantha faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns affecting its specialized habitat requirements. Collection pressure for horticultural purposes has historically impacted wild populations of this rare foxglove species.
Where does Digitalis chalcantha live?
Digitalis chalcantha occurs in Spain. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Digitalis chalcantha?
The main threats to Digitalis chalcantha are 2.1, 9.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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