Hoja de clavo
Plinia stenophylla
Hoja de clavo (Plinia stenophylla) is a rare neotropical tree species in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) characterized by its narrow, elongated leaves that give it its common name meaning 'clove leaf.' This small to medium-sized tree produces small white flowers and dark purple fruits, serving as an important food source for local wildlife in its native forest ecosystems.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Myrtales
Family
Myrtaceae
Genus
Plinia
Hoja de clavo belongs to the family Myrtaceae, order Myrtales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Hoja de clavo (Plinia stenophylla) is a rare neotropical tree species in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) characterized by its narrow, elongated leaves that give it its common name meaning 'clove leaf.' This small to medium-sized tree produces small white flowers and dark purple fruits, serving as an important food source for local wildlife in its native forest ecosystems.
Plinia stenophylla faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its native Brazilian Atlantic Forest region. The species has an extremely restricted range and small population size, making it highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities. Deforestation for cattle ranching and crop cultivation continues to reduce the remaining forest patches where this endemic species occurs.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Plinia stenophylla inhabits humid montane forests and cloud forest margins at elevations between 800-2000 meters in the Andes. The species requires well-drained soils with consistent moisture and partial canopy cover, typically growing in secondary forest edges and forest clearings with rich organic substrates.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Plinia stenophylla faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its native Brazilian Atlantic Forest region. The species has an extremely restricted range and small population size, making it highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities. Deforestation for cattle ranching and crop cultivation continues to reduce the remaining forest patches where this endemic species occurs.
Agricultural expansion
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Restricted geographic range
Small population size
Urban development
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Hoja de clavo (Plinia stenophylla). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/hoja-de-clavo