VU

Polystachya gracilenta

Unknown

Overview

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

Polystachya gracilenta faces significant pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion 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 fragment remaining forest patches. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimates 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 rainforest ecosystems across its West and Central African range.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· majorShrubland· majorRocky areas· 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

Threatened in Burundi

VU

Brazzaea anceyi

Unknown
Humped BladderwortCR

Humped Bladderwort

Utricularia gibba

Unknown
VU

Secamone racemosa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Polystachya gracilenta classified as Vulnerable?
Polystachya gracilenta 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. Polystachya gracilenta faces significant pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion 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 fragment remaining forest patches. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimates essential for this orchid's survival.
Where does Polystachya gracilenta live?
Polystachya gracilenta occurs in Burundi, Congo - Brazzaville, Congo - Kinshasa, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Polystachya gracilenta?
The main threats to Polystachya gracilenta 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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