CR

Polystachya porphyrochila

Unknown

Overview

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

Polystachya porphyrochila faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat conversion in its limited range within Madagascar's eastern rainforests. The species' epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to logging activities that remove host trees, while agricultural expansion and slash-and-burn practices continue to fragment its already restricted habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the humid microclimates essential for this orchid's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic orchid inhabits the humid montane rainforests of eastern Madagascar, growing on tree trunks and branches in the forest canopy. It requires consistent moisture and filtered light conditions typical of intact primary forest ecosystems at elevations between 800-1,500 meters.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
EN

Habenaria tahitensis

Declining
EN

Habenaria marquisensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Polystachya porphyrochila classified as Critically Endangered?
Polystachya porphyrochila 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 porphyrochila faces severe threats from deforestation and habitat conversion in its limited range within Madagascar's eastern rainforests. The species' epiphytic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to logging activities that remove host trees, while agricultural expansion and slash-and-burn practices continue to fragment its already restricted habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the humid microclimates essential for this orchid's survival.
Where does Polystachya porphyrochila live?
Polystachya porphyrochila 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 porphyrochila?
The main threats to Polystachya porphyrochila 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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