CR

Ixora ooumuensis

Declining

Overview

Ixora ooumuensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is endemic to the island of Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia.

Ixora ooumuensis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion on its native Hawaiian islands. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter soil chemistry. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity, which can damage the fragile forest ecosystems where this endemic shrub survives.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ixora ooumuensis is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it inhabits native mesic and wet forests at mid to high elevations. The species typically grows in understory environments with rich volcanic soils and consistent moisture levels provided by trade wind precipitation.

Other threatened species in RUBIACEAE

EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining
CR

Arachnothryx tenorioi

Unknown
VU

Aidia abeidii

Unknown
EN

Arachnothryx tuxtlensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Ixora ooumuensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Ixora ooumuensis 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. Ixora ooumuensis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion on its native Hawaiian islands. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to invasive plant species that outcompete native vegetation and alter soil chemistry. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns and increased storm intensity, which can damage the fragile forest ecosystems where this endemic shrub survives.
Where does Ixora ooumuensis live?
Ixora ooumuensis 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 Ixora ooumuensis?
The main threats to Ixora ooumuensis 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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