Justicia mariae
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Justicia mariae faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and urban development within its limited range in the Atlantic Forest region. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its specialized microhabitats. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the moist conditions this endemic species requires.
Habitat
Justicia mariae inhabits moist understory environments within Atlantic Forest fragments, typically growing in shaded areas with rich, well-drained soils. The species shows preference for forest edges and clearings where filtered sunlight creates optimal growing conditions.
