Mt Taibai Cypripedium
CR

Mt Taibai Cypripedium

Cypripedium taibaiense

Declining

Photo: (c) yaoyaoo, all rights reserved, uploaded by yaoyaoo

Overview

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

Cypripedium taibaiense faces severe population decline due to overcollection for traditional medicine and horticultural trade, with its distinctive slipper orchid flowers making it highly sought after. Habitat degradation from tourism development and infrastructure expansion in the Qinling Mountains has fragmented remaining populations. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns and temperature shifts affecting the species' narrow altitudinal range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This rare orchid inhabits cool, moist deciduous and mixed forests in the Qinling Mountains of central China, typically growing at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. It requires well-drained, humus-rich soils with partial shade and specific mycorrhizal associations for survival.

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Mt Taibai Cypripedium classified as Critically Endangered?
Mt Taibai Cypripedium 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. Cypripedium taibaiense faces severe population decline due to overcollection for traditional medicine and horticultural trade, with its distinctive slipper orchid flowers making it highly sought after. Habitat degradation from tourism development and infrastructure expansion in the Qinling Mountains has fragmented remaining populations. Climate change poses additional pressure through altered precipitation patterns and temperature shifts affecting the species' narrow altitudinal range.
Where does Mt Taibai Cypripedium live?
Mt Taibai Cypripedium occurs in China. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Mt Taibai Cypripedium?
The main threats to Mt Taibai Cypripedium are 1.1, 11.1, 11.2, and 4.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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