Poecilanthe itapuana
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.
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.