CR

Ochna rufescens

Unknown

Overview

Campylospermum serratum is a plant in the family Ochnaceae. The specific epithet serratum is from the Latin meaning "with teeth", referring to the leaf margin. It is found in Tropical Asia, from Sulawesi, Indonesia to Hainan, Zhōngguó/China and over to southwestern India. Gomphia serrata was a previous common name for the species. The plant is used for its wood and its sap is used in folk medicine and in the past for teeth-blackening.

Ochna rufescens faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in West Africa. Mining activities and urban expansion have further fragmented the remaining forest patches where this species occurs. The combination of habitat destruction and its naturally restricted distribution has pushed this tree species to the brink of extinction.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ochna rufescens is endemic to tropical rainforest environments in West Africa, typically found in primary and secondary forest understory. The species requires humid forest conditions and is particularly associated with areas of high rainfall and rich, well-drained soils.

Forest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Other threatened species in OCHNACEAE

VU

Ouratea lajaensis

Declining
EN

Ouratea werdermannii

Unknown
VU

Campylospermum auriculatum

Unknown
EN

Campylospermum klainei

Declining

Threatened in Sri Lanka

Indian Star TortoiseVU

Indian Star Tortoise

Geochelone elegans

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EN

Ceylonosticta nietneri

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EN

Lipstick Goby

Sicyopus jonklaasi

Declining
EN

Martenstyni's Barb

Systomus martenstyni

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Ochna rufescens classified as Critically Endangered?
Ochna rufescens 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. Ochna rufescens faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its limited range in West Africa. Mining activities and urban expansion have further fragmented the remaining forest patches where this species occurs. The combination of habitat destruction and its naturally restricted distribution has pushed this tree species to the brink of extinction.
Where does Ochna rufescens live?
Ochna rufescens 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 Ochna rufescens?
The main threats to Ochna rufescens 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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