Ilex graciliflora
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Ilex graciliflora faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as remaining populations become increasingly isolated. Mining activities and urban development continue to reduce available habitat, while the slow growth rate of this holly species limits its ability to recover from disturbances.
Habitat
This endemic Brazilian holly inhabits montane Atlantic Forest remnants, typically found in cloud forests and humid mountain slopes at elevations between 800-1,500 meters. The species requires well-drained soils and consistent moisture levels characteristic of Brazil's rapidly disappearing Atlantic Forest ecosystem.