CR

Polystachya acuminata

Unknown

Overview

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

Polystachya acuminata faces severe population decline primarily due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in tropical Africa. The species' epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to logging activities that remove host trees, while agricultural expansion continues to reduce suitable forest habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimatic conditions essential for this orchid's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic orchid inhabits humid tropical forests, growing on tree trunks and branches in the forest canopy and understory. It requires consistent moisture and filtered light conditions typical of intact primary and secondary forest ecosystems.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

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 Polystachya acuminata classified as Critically Endangered?
Polystachya acuminata 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. Polystachya acuminata faces severe population decline primarily due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in tropical Africa. The species' epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to logging activities that remove host trees, while agricultural expansion continues to reduce suitable forest habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimatic conditions essential for this orchid's survival.
Where does Polystachya acuminata live?
Polystachya acuminata 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 Polystachya acuminata?
The main threats to Polystachya acuminata are 2.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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