Leucas penduliflora
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Leucas penduliflora faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in the Western Ghats of India. The species' specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation, while collection for traditional medicinal uses has intensified pressure on remaining populations. Climate change poses an additional threat as shifting precipitation patterns affect the moist forest conditions this endemic herb requires.
Habitat
This endemic herb inhabits moist deciduous forests and forest edges in the Western Ghats of India, typically growing in shaded understory areas with rich, well-drained soils. The species shows a preference for elevations between 500-1200 meters where humidity levels remain consistently high throughout the year.