VU

Poecilanthe itapuana

Declining

Overview

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

Poecilanthe itapuana faces severe pressure from Atlantic Forest fragmentation and conversion to agricultural land, particularly cattle ranching and sugarcane cultivation in its limited range. Urban expansion around coastal Bahia has eliminated several historical populations, while remaining forest patches are increasingly isolated and degraded. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction and edge effects from surrounding modified landscapes.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Brazilian legume inhabits remnant Atlantic Forest fragments in coastal Bahia state, typically growing in humid lowland forests and forest edges. It occurs in both primary and secondary forest formations, often in areas with well-drained soils and partial canopy 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 Poecilanthe itapuana classified as Vulnerable?
Poecilanthe itapuana 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. Poecilanthe itapuana faces severe pressure from Atlantic Forest fragmentation and conversion to agricultural land, particularly cattle ranching and sugarcane cultivation in its limited range. Urban expansion around coastal Bahia has eliminated several historical populations, while remaining forest patches are increasingly isolated and degraded. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction and edge effects from surrounding modified landscapes.
Where does Poecilanthe itapuana live?
Poecilanthe itapuana 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 Poecilanthe itapuana?
The main threats to Poecilanthe itapuana 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.