Disperis egregia
Photo: (c) Mtembezi, all rights reserved, uploaded by Mtembezi
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Disperis egregia faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development within its extremely limited range in South Africa's Western Cape. The species' specialized mycorrhizal relationships make it particularly vulnerable to soil disturbance and changes in forest floor conditions. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate moisture requirements of both the orchid and its fungal partners.
Habitat
This terrestrial orchid inhabits the understory of indigenous forests and forest margins in the Western Cape of South Africa, typically growing in humus-rich soils with specific mycorrhizal associations. It requires shaded, moist conditions with well-drained but moisture-retentive forest floor substrates.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE
Frequently asked questions
Why is Disperis egregia classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Disperis egregia live?
What are the main threats to Disperis egregia?
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