Masdevallia mejiana
EN

Masdevallia mejiana

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Masdevallia mejiana faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its native Colombian range are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while illegal collection for the international orchid trade has further reduced wild populations. 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 is endemic to the cloud forests of Colombia's Eastern Cordillera, typically growing as an epiphyte on moss-covered trees at elevations between 2,000-3,000 meters. It requires the consistently cool, humid conditions characteristic of these high-altitude montane ecosystems.

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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Huntleya apiculata

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Masdevallia mejiana classified as Endangered?
Masdevallia mejiana 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 mejiana faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its native Colombian range are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while illegal collection for the international orchid trade has further reduced wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for this high-altitude orchid's survival.
Where does Masdevallia mejiana live?
Masdevallia mejiana 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 mejiana?
The main threats to Masdevallia mejiana 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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