VU

Masdevallia dryada

Unknown

Overview

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

Masdevallia dryada 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 entire populations vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change threatens to shift the cool, humid conditions essential for its survival. Overcollection by orchid enthusiasts has historically depleted wild populations, though this pressure has somewhat decreased with increased cultivation.

Threat summary

Habitat

This orchid species inhabits cool, humid cloud forests at elevations between 1,500-2,500 meters in the Andean mountains. It grows as an epiphyte on moss-covered tree branches and trunks where constant moisture and filtered light create ideal conditions for its specialized growth requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Masdevallia dryada classified as Vulnerable?
Masdevallia dryada is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Masdevallia dryada 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 entire populations vulnerable to localized disturbances, while climate change threatens to shift the cool, humid conditions essential for its survival. Overcollection by orchid enthusiasts has historically depleted wild populations, though this pressure has somewhat decreased with increased cultivation.
Where does Masdevallia dryada live?
Masdevallia dryada 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 dryada?
The main threats to Masdevallia dryada 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.

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.