CR

Melicope perlmanii

Declining

Overview

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

Melicope perlmanii faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited Hawaiian range. Invasive plant species compete directly with native vegetation, altering forest composition and reducing suitable habitat. The species' extremely small population size makes it vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks that could drive it to extinction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Hawaiian tree inhabits mesic to wet forests on volcanic slopes, typically found in native mixed forests between 300-1,200 meters elevation. It grows in areas with high rainfall and rich volcanic soils, often associated with other native Hawaiian forest species.

Other threatened species in RUTACEAE

CR

Melicope quadrangularis

Declining
VU

Melicope wawraeana

Declining
VU

Vepris drummondii

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VU

Zanthoxylum mildbraedii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Melicope perlmanii classified as Critically Endangered?
Melicope perlmanii is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Melicope perlmanii faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited Hawaiian range. Invasive plant species compete directly with native vegetation, altering forest composition and reducing suitable habitat. The species' extremely small population size makes it vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks that could drive it to extinction.
Where does Melicope perlmanii live?
Melicope perlmanii 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 Melicope perlmanii?
The main threats to Melicope perlmanii 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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