CR

Ceratozamia mexicana

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Ceratozamia mexicana faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range within the Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico. Illegal collection for the horticultural trade poses an additional significant threat, as these slow-growing cycads are highly valued by collectors. The species' extremely restricted distribution and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from these combined pressures.

Threat summary

Habitat

This cycad is endemic to the cloud forests and pine-oak woodlands of the Sierra Madre Oriental in eastern Mexico, typically growing on steep slopes at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. It thrives in the humid, misty conditions of these montane forests where it grows as an understory species among ferns and other shade-tolerant vegetation.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryAwareness & communicationsLegislation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Ceratozamia mexicana classified as Critically Endangered?
Ceratozamia mexicana 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. Ceratozamia mexicana faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range within the Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico. Illegal collection for the horticultural trade poses an additional significant threat, as these slow-growing cycads are highly valued by collectors. The species' extremely restricted distribution and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from these combined pressures.
Where does Ceratozamia mexicana live?
Ceratozamia mexicana occurs in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Costa Rica, and Denmark (plus 15 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ceratozamia mexicana?
The main threats to Ceratozamia mexicana are 2.1, 2.3, 5.3, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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