CR

Phaseolus rimbachii

Unknown

Overview

Phaseolus rimbachii is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae. It is found only in Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Phaseolus rimbachii faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and habitat conversion in its restricted Andean range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while collection pressure for genetic resources and climate-induced shifts in montane ecosystems further compound its precarious status. Overgrazing by livestock in highland areas has degraded the specific soil conditions this wild bean requires for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This wild bean species inhabits montane cloud forests and highland grasslands in the Andes, typically growing in well-drained soils at elevations between 2,000-3,500 meters. It favors disturbed forest edges and clearings where it can climb on shrubs and small trees in areas with consistent moisture from cloud cover.

Other threatened species in FABACEAE

VU

Lonchocarpus crassispermus

Declining
CR

Machaerium orthocarpum

Declining
VU

Senna saeri

Declining
VU

Senna viciifolia

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Phaseolus rimbachii classified as Critically Endangered?
Phaseolus rimbachii 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. Phaseolus rimbachii faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and habitat conversion in its restricted Andean range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while collection pressure for genetic resources and climate-induced shifts in montane ecosystems further compound its precarious status. Overgrazing by livestock in highland areas has degraded the specific soil conditions this wild bean requires for survival.
Where does Phaseolus rimbachii live?
Phaseolus rimbachii occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Phaseolus rimbachii?
The main threats to Phaseolus rimbachii 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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