CR

Hypericum gnidiifolium

Unknown

Overview

Hypericum gnidiifolium is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. It is endemic to Ethiopia, where it has been observed at only two locations. It grows next to streams.

Hypericum gnidiifolium faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Canary Islands. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its native laurel forest habitat. Climate change poses an additional long-term threat through altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases that could shift suitable habitat zones beyond the species' adaptive capacity.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered shrub is endemic to the laurel forests (laurisilva) of the Canary Islands, where it grows in humid, shaded understory conditions at mid-elevations. The species requires the specific microclimate conditions provided by these ancient forest ecosystems, including consistent moisture levels and protection from direct sunlight.

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in HYPERICACEAE

VU

Hypericum acostanum

Unknown
CR

Psorospermum cornifolium

Declining
EN

Psorospermum bullatum

Declining
EN

Vismia pauciflora

Unknown

Threatened in Ethiopia

Walia IbexVU

Walia Ibex

Capra walie

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VU

Ethiopian Hawker

Pinheyschna waterstoni

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VU

Hygrophila asteracanthoides

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CR

Osgood's Ethiopian Toad

Altiphrynoides osgoodi

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Hypericum gnidiifolium classified as Critically Endangered?
Hypericum gnidiifolium 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. Hypericum gnidiifolium faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Canary Islands. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its native laurel forest habitat. Climate change poses an additional long-term threat through altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases that could shift suitable habitat zones beyond the species' adaptive capacity.
Where does Hypericum gnidiifolium live?
Hypericum gnidiifolium occurs in Ethiopia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hypericum gnidiifolium?
The main threats to Hypericum gnidiifolium are 2.1, 2.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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