VU

Pleione formosana

Unknown

Overview

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

Pleione formosana faces severe pressure from overcollection for the horticultural trade, where its striking purple and white flowers make it highly sought after by orchid enthusiasts. Habitat degradation in Taiwan's montane forests through logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development has fragmented remaining populations. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures may push suitable habitat to higher elevations beyond the species' current range.

Threat summary

Habitat

This terrestrial orchid inhabits cool, humid montane forests and woodland margins at elevations between 1,000-2,500 meters in Taiwan's mountainous regions. It typically grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte on moss-covered rocks and tree trunks in areas with consistent moisture and filtered sunlight.

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
VU

Disperis galerita

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pleione formosana classified as Vulnerable?
Pleione formosana is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Pleione formosana faces severe pressure from overcollection for the horticultural trade, where its striking purple and white flowers make it highly sought after by orchid enthusiasts. Habitat degradation in Taiwan's montane forests through logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development has fragmented remaining populations. Climate change poses an additional threat as warming temperatures may push suitable habitat to higher elevations beyond the species' current range.
Where does Pleione formosana live?
Pleione formosana 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 Pleione formosana?
The main threats to Pleione formosana 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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