Dioscorea namorokensis
Photo: (c) Franck Rakotonasolo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Franck Rakotonasolo
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Dioscorea namorokensis faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat degradation in Madagascar's remaining forest fragments. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while collection pressure for traditional medicinal uses compounds population decline. Climate change poses additional risks to its specialized forest microhabitat requirements.
Habitat
This endemic yam species inhabits the humid lowland and mid-elevation forests of Madagascar, typically growing as a climbing vine in the understory of primary and secondary forest areas. It requires the specific microclimate conditions found in Madagascar's eastern rainforest belt.
