Hemipilia cruciata
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Hemipilia cruciata faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as montane forests across its range are cleared for agriculture and development. The species' specialized pollination requirements and narrow ecological niche make it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the temperature and moisture conditions of its high-altitude habitats. Collection pressure for the horticultural trade has also contributed to population declines in accessible areas.
Habitat
This terrestrial orchid inhabits cool, moist montane forests and forest margins at elevations typically between 1,500-3,000 meters. It grows in humus-rich soils under the canopy of broadleaf and mixed forests, often in areas with consistent moisture and filtered sunlight.