CR

Floreana flax

Linum cratericolum

Unknown

Overview

Floreana flax (Linum cratericolum) is an endemic flowering plant species found exclusively on Floreana Island in the Galápagos archipelago. This small herbaceous plant produces delicate blue or white flowers and grows in low, spreading mats across volcanic terrain. As a native plant species, it plays a crucial role in the island's fragile ecosystem by providing habitat structure and supporting endemic invertebrates.

Floreana flax is critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range on Floreana Island in the Galápagos, where it faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that compete for resources and alter habitat conditions. The species' tiny population size and limited distribution make it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and ongoing habitat degradation from introduced flora.

Threat summary

Habitat

Floreana flax grows in the arid coastal zones and volcanic crater areas of Floreana Island, thriving in well-drained volcanic soils and rocky crevices. The species is adapted to the island's dry climate and is typically found in areas with sparse vegetation cover at low to moderate elevations.

Other threatened species in Linaceae

AllseedEN

Allseed

Radiola linoides

Unknown
Fairy FlaxEN

Fairy Flax

Linum catharticum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Floreana flax classified as Critically Endangered?
Floreana flax 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. Floreana flax is critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range on Floreana Island in the Galápagos, where it faces severe pressure from invasive plant species that compete for resources and alter habitat conditions. The species' tiny population size and limited distribution make it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and ongoing habitat degradation from introduced flora.
Where does Floreana flax live?
Floreana flax occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Floreana flax?
The main threats to Floreana flax are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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