CR

Polygala quitensis

Unknown

Overview

Senega quitensis is a species of plant in the family Polygalaceae. It is endemic to Ecuador.

Polygala quitensis faces severe threats from urban expansion and agricultural conversion in the high-altitude regions around Quito, Ecuador. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while climate change poses additional risks to its specialized montane ecosystem. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andean highlands further compound the pressure on remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits high-altitude montane grasslands and páramo ecosystems in the Ecuadorian Andes, typically occurring at elevations between 2,800-3,500 meters. It grows in specialized alpine vegetation communities characterized by cool temperatures, high UV exposure, and seasonal precipitation patterns.

Other threatened species in POLYGALACEAE

VU

Xanthophyllum crassum

Stable
VU

Polygala francisci

Unknown
VU

Xanthophyllum lineare

Stable
VU

Polygala zambesiaca

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Polygala quitensis classified as Critically Endangered?
Polygala quitensis 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. Polygala quitensis faces severe threats from urban expansion and agricultural conversion in the high-altitude regions around Quito, Ecuador. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, while climate change poses additional risks to its specialized montane ecosystem. Mining activities and infrastructure development in the Andean highlands further compound the pressure on remaining populations.
Where does Polygala quitensis live?
Polygala quitensis 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 Polygala quitensis?
The main threats to Polygala quitensis 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.