Lasianthus gardneri
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Lasianthus gardneri faces significant pressure from habitat degradation in its restricted range within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Deforestation for agricultural expansion, particularly coffee and tea plantations, has fragmented the montane forest ecosystems this species depends upon. Climate change poses an additional threat as shifting temperature and precipitation patterns may alter the specific microhabitat conditions required by this endemic shrub.
Habitat
Lasianthus gardneri is endemic to the montane forests of the Western Ghats in southern India, typically occurring in moist evergreen forests at elevations between 1,000-2,000 meters. The species thrives in the understory of these biodiverse mountain ecosystems, requiring the specific humidity and temperature conditions found in intact forest canopies.