CR

Kovach's Phragmipedium

Phragmipedium kovachii

Declining

Overview

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

Phragmipedium kovachii faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, driven by its status as one of the most spectacular and recently discovered slipper orchids. Habitat destruction through deforestation and agricultural expansion in its limited Peruvian range compounds these threats. The species' extremely restricted distribution across fewer than five known locations makes it exceptionally vulnerable to local extinctions from overcollection and environmental disturbances.

Threat summary

Habitat

This terrestrial orchid inhabits montane cloud forests and humid limestone cliffs at elevations between 1,500-2,000 meters in the eastern Andes of northern Peru. It grows in moss-covered rocky crevices and steep slopes where constant moisture from cloud cover creates ideal conditions for its specialized root system.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSite/area managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
VU

Disperis galerita

Declining

Threatened in Peru

EN

Puya fastuosa

Unknown
EN

Puya pratensis

Unknown
CR

Puya ramonii

Unknown
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Kovach's Phragmipedium classified as Critically Endangered?
Kovach's Phragmipedium 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. Phragmipedium kovachii faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, driven by its status as one of the most spectacular and recently discovered slipper orchids. Habitat destruction through deforestation and agricultural expansion in its limited Peruvian range compounds these threats. The species' extremely restricted distribution across fewer than five known locations makes it exceptionally vulnerable to local extinctions from overcollection and environmental disturbances.
Where does Kovach's Phragmipedium live?
Kovach's Phragmipedium occurs in Peru. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Kovach's Phragmipedium?
The main threats to Kovach's Phragmipedium are 5.3, 5.4, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.