Lepanthes sinuosa
CR

Lepanthes sinuosa

Unknown

Photo: (c) Camilo Ernesto Echeverri Garcia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Camilo Ernesto Echeverri Garcia

Overview

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

Lepanthes sinuosa faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat conversion in its restricted montane cloud forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change poses additional risks by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required by this epiphytic orchid. Agricultural expansion and infrastructure development continue to fragment the remaining suitable habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic orchid inhabits montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,500-2,500 meters, growing on moss-covered tree branches and trunks in areas with consistent high humidity and frequent fog. The species requires the specific microclimate conditions found in undisturbed cloud forest ecosystems, particularly areas with stable moisture levels and filtered sunlight.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationLegislation

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

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Disperis galerita

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Cavendishia macrocephala

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Cavendishia sessiliflora

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Macleania crassa

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Lepanthes sinuosa classified as Critically Endangered?
Lepanthes sinuosa 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. Lepanthes sinuosa faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat conversion in its restricted montane cloud forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change poses additional risks by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required by this epiphytic orchid. Agricultural expansion and infrastructure development continue to fragment the remaining suitable habitat.
Where does Lepanthes sinuosa live?
Lepanthes sinuosa occurs in Colombia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Lepanthes sinuosa?
The main threats to Lepanthes sinuosa are 2.1, 2.3, 4.1, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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