Lychnophora crispa
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Lychnophora crispa faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Brazil's cerrado grasslands are converted to agriculture and cattle ranching. Mining activities in the Espinhaço Mountain Range directly destroy the rocky outcrops and quartzite soils where this endemic shrub grows. Fire regime changes, particularly increased frequency of uncontrolled burns, threaten the specialized campo rupestre vegetation communities that support this species.
Habitat
This endemic Brazilian shrub inhabits the campo rupestre vegetation of the Espinhaço Mountain Range, growing specifically on quartzite outcrops and sandy soils at elevations between 900-1,400 meters. It thrives in the unique montane grassland ecosystem characterized by rocky substrates, seasonal rainfall patterns, and specialized plant communities adapted to nutrient-poor soils.