Matucana krahnii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Matucana krahnii faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international cactus trade, with collectors targeting its distinctive appearance and rarity. Habitat degradation from livestock grazing and agricultural expansion in Peru's central Andes further reduces available growing sites. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering precipitation patterns and temperature regimes in its restricted high-altitude range.
Habitat
This cactus species inhabits rocky slopes and cliff faces in the high Andes of central Peru, typically growing at elevations between 2,500-3,500 meters. It favors well-drained, mineral-rich soils on steep terrain where it can establish in crevices and ledges protected from extreme weather.
