CR

Memecylon arnottianum

Unknown

Overview

Memecylon arnottianum is a species of plant in the family Melastomataceae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.

Memecylon arnottianum faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Western Ghats. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented and isolated. Invasive plant species further degrade its specialized habitat requirements, while climate change poses additional pressure on this endemic shrub's narrow ecological niche.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic shrub inhabits the tropical evergreen forests and shola grasslands of the Western Ghats in southern India. It typically grows in moist, well-drained soils at elevations between 1,000-2,000 meters, often found along forest edges and in secondary growth areas.

Forest· major

Other threatened species in MELASTOMATACEAE

VU

Brachyotum angustifolium

Unknown
CR

Blakea steyermarkii

Declining
VU

Gravesia pulchra

Declining
VU

Blakea calycularis

Declining

Threatened in Sri Lanka

Indian Star TortoiseVU

Indian Star Tortoise

Geochelone elegans

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EN

Ceylonosticta nietneri

Declining
EN

Lipstick Goby

Sicyopus jonklaasi

Declining
EN

Martenstyni's Barb

Systomus martenstyni

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Memecylon arnottianum classified as Critically Endangered?
Memecylon arnottianum 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. Memecylon arnottianum faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from urban development and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Western Ghats. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented and isolated. Invasive plant species further degrade its specialized habitat requirements, while climate change poses additional pressure on this endemic shrub's narrow ecological niche.
Where does Memecylon arnottianum live?
Memecylon arnottianum occurs in Sri Lanka. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Memecylon arnottianum?
The main threats to Memecylon arnottianum 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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