Pilocarpus trachylophus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Pilocarpus trachylophus faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion throughout its limited range in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its restricted distribution and the ongoing fragmentation of its forest habitat. Commercial harvesting for pharmaceutical compounds, particularly pilocarpine extraction, poses an additional threat to remaining populations.
Habitat
This species is endemic to the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) of southeastern Brazil, where it grows in humid tropical forests at elevations between 200-800 meters. It typically occurs in secondary forest areas and forest edges, showing some tolerance for disturbed habitats within its native forest ecosystem.