Lithops optica
CR

Lithops optica

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithops_optica

Overview

Lithops optica is a species of plant in the family Aizoaceae, endemic to Namibia.

Lithops optica faces severe threats from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, with entire populations being harvested from the wild to supply international succulent markets. Habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock and infrastructure development in its restricted range further compounds population decline. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the species' highly specialized survival mechanisms.

Threat summary

Habitat

Lithops optica inhabits extremely arid quartz fields and rocky outcrops in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The species grows embedded in quartzite gravel and rocky crevices where it mimics surrounding stones as camouflage.

Rocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in AIZOACEAE

CR

Conophytum subfenestratum

Declining
CR

Conophytum arthurolfago

Declining
CR

Conophytum comptonii

Declining
Juttadinteria simpsoniiCR

Juttadinteria simpsonii

Declining

Threatened in Namibia

VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Nothobranchius capriviensis

Declining
Cape GannetEN

Cape Gannet

Morus capensis

Declining
VU

Short-tailed Albatross

Phoebastria albatrus

Increasing

Frequently asked questions

Why is Lithops optica classified as Critically Endangered?
Lithops optica 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. Lithops optica faces severe threats from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, with entire populations being harvested from the wild to supply international succulent markets. Habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock and infrastructure development in its restricted range further compounds population decline. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the species' highly specialized survival mechanisms.
Where does Lithops optica live?
Lithops optica occurs in Namibia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Lithops optica?
The main threats to Lithops optica are 1.1, 3.2, 4.1, and 5.1. 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.