CR

Memecylon gardneri

Unknown

Overview

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

Memecylon gardneri faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented across small forest patches. Invasive plant species are increasingly competing with native vegetation in its habitat, while climate change poses additional pressure through altered rainfall patterns affecting the moist forest conditions this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Memecylon gardneri is endemic to moist tropical forests and forest edges in the Western Ghats of India. The species typically occurs in evergreen and semi-evergreen forest understory at elevations between 500-1200 meters, preferring areas with consistent moisture and partial shade.

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 gardneri classified as Critically Endangered?
Memecylon gardneri 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 gardneri faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented across small forest patches. Invasive plant species are increasingly competing with native vegetation in its habitat, while climate change poses additional pressure through altered rainfall patterns affecting the moist forest conditions this species requires.
Where does Memecylon gardneri live?
Memecylon gardneri 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 gardneri?
The main threats to Memecylon gardneri 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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