CR

Polystachya reticulata

Declining

Overview

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

Polystachya reticulata 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 and lowland 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.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionLegislation

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 Equatorial Guinea

VU

Justicia orbicularis

Declining
VU

Whitfieldia preussii

Declining
VU

Brillantaisia lancifolia

Declining
VU

Secamone racemosa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Polystachya reticulata classified as Critically Endangered?
Polystachya reticulata 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 reticulata 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 reticulata live?
Polystachya reticulata occurs in Equatorial Guinea. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Polystachya reticulata?
The main threats to Polystachya reticulata are 2.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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