parasitic ghostplant
Voyria parasitica
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The parasitic ghostplant faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its Central and South American range, as its obligate parasitic lifestyle makes it entirely dependent on specific host fungi and the intact forest ecosystems they require. Agricultural expansion and logging activities destroy the complex mycorrhizal networks essential for this species' survival, while climate change alters the delicate moisture and temperature conditions needed for both the plant and its fungal partners.
Habitat
Voyria parasitica inhabits the understory of tropical rainforests from Central America to northern South America, where it grows as an obligate parasite on mycorrhizal fungi in deep shade conditions. The species requires intact forest ecosystems with stable moisture levels and complex fungal networks, typically found in primary or well-established secondary forests.
Other threatened species in Gentianaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is parasitic ghostplant classified as Vulnerable?
Where does parasitic ghostplant live?
What are the main threats to parasitic ghostplant?
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