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Masdevallia cerastes

Unknown

Overview

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

Masdevallia cerastes faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its native range are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with entire populations potentially eliminated by single development projects. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for this high-altitude orchid's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This orchid inhabits cool, humid cloud forests at elevations between 1,800-2,400 meters in the Andean mountains. It grows as an epiphyte on moss-covered tree branches and trunks in areas with consistent moisture and filtered sunlight.

Other threatened species in Orchidaceae

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Benthamia nigrovaginata

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Dark-red HelleborineCR

Dark-red Helleborine

Epipactis atrorubens

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Broughtonia cubensis

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CR

Huntleya apiculata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Masdevallia cerastes classified as Endangered?
Masdevallia cerastes is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Masdevallia cerastes faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its native range are cleared for agriculture and urban development. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with entire populations potentially eliminated by single development projects. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for this high-altitude orchid's survival.
Where does Masdevallia cerastes live?
Masdevallia cerastes occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Masdevallia cerastes?
The main threats to Masdevallia cerastes are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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