Dypsis brevicaulis
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dypsis_brevicaulis
Overview
Dypsis brevicaulis is a species of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family. It is a dwarf palm found on only three sites in Madagascar, with fewer than fifty plants ever found in the wild. The plant is part of the IUCN Sampled Red List Index for Plants, a study of representative species from all over the world which is studying extinction trends for plants.
Dypsis brevicaulis faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and agricultural expansion in Madagascar's remaining lowland rainforests. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while collection pressure for the horticultural trade poses an additional risk to wild populations. Climate change threatens to alter the specific microclimatic conditions this palm requires in its limited forest habitat.
Habitat
This critically endangered palm is endemic to the lowland rainforests of eastern Madagascar, where it grows in the understory of primary forest at elevations below 800 meters. The species requires the humid, shaded conditions of intact forest canopy and is particularly associated with well-drained soils on slopes and ridges.
Other threatened species in ARECACEAE
Threatened in Madagascar
Frequently asked questions
Why is Dypsis brevicaulis classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Dypsis brevicaulis live?
What are the main threats to Dypsis brevicaulis?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.