Oritrophium llanganatense
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Oritrophium llanganatense faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in Ecuador's high-altitude páramo ecosystems. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly limited suitable habitat at higher elevations. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment its already restricted range in the Llanganates National Park region.
Habitat
This endemic Ecuadorian species inhabits high-altitude páramo grasslands and cushion plant communities between 3,500-4,200 meters elevation in the Andes. It grows in wet, boggy areas and along stream margins within the unique tropical alpine ecosystem of the Llanganates mountain range.