Polystachya maculata
CR

Polystachya maculata

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystachya_maculata

Overview

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

Polystachya maculata faces severe population decline primarily due to deforestation and habitat conversion for agriculture in its limited range. The species' epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to logging activities that remove host trees, while collection pressure for the horticultural trade has further reduced wild populations. 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 montane forests, typically growing on tree trunks and branches in cloud forest environments at elevations between 1,000-2,500 meters. The species requires consistent moisture and filtered light conditions found in the forest canopy of tropical highland ecosystems.

Conservation measures underway

Legislation

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 maculata classified as Critically Endangered?
Polystachya maculata 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 maculata faces severe population decline primarily due to deforestation and habitat conversion for agriculture in its limited range. The species' epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to logging activities that remove host trees, while collection pressure for the horticultural trade has further reduced wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimatic conditions essential for this orchid's survival.
Where does Polystachya maculata live?
Polystachya maculata occurs in Burundi. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Polystachya maculata?
The main threats to Polystachya maculata 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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