Myrcianthes pungens
EN

Myrcianthes pungens

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrcianthes_pungens

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Myrcianthes pungens faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat conversion for agricultural expansion and urban development across its native range in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. The species is particularly vulnerable to cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, which have fragmented the Atlantic Forest and Pampa grassland ecosystems where it naturally occurs. Additional pressure comes from selective logging for its valuable timber and the collection of its edible fruits, which reduces reproductive success in remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Myrcianthes pungens inhabits Atlantic Forest remnants, gallery forests along rivers, and woodland edges in the Pampa region of southern South America. The species typically grows in well-drained soils at elevations from sea level to 1,200 meters, often forming part of the forest understory or occurring in transitional zones between forest and grassland.

Other threatened species in MYRTACEAE

VU

Myrcia carioca

Declining
CR

Myrcia solitaria

Declining
EN

Plinia caricensis

Declining
EN

Myrciaria pallida

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Myrcianthes pungens classified as Endangered?
Myrcianthes pungens is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Myrcianthes pungens faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat conversion for agricultural expansion and urban development across its native range in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. The species is particularly vulnerable to cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, which have fragmented the Atlantic Forest and Pampa grassland ecosystems where it naturally occurs. Additional pressure comes from selective logging for its valuable timber and the collection of its edible fruits, which reduces reproductive success in remaining populations.
Where does Myrcianthes pungens live?
Myrcianthes pungens 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 Myrcianthes pungens?
The main threats to Myrcianthes pungens 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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