EN

Prunus ceylanica

Unknown

Overview

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

Prunus ceylanica faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion in Sri Lanka's montane regions, where its cloud forest habitat is being cleared for tea plantations and agricultural expansion. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction, while climate change threatens to shift the cool, moist conditions essential for its survival to higher elevations where suitable habitat may not exist.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Sri Lankan cherry inhabits montane cloud forests and wet zone forests at elevations between 1,200-2,100 meters, thriving in the cool, moist conditions of the island's central highlands. It typically grows in primary and secondary forest understory where persistent cloud cover maintains high humidity levels essential for its survival.

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EN

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Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Prunus ceylanica classified as Endangered?
Prunus ceylanica is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Prunus ceylanica faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion in Sri Lanka's montane regions, where its cloud forest habitat is being cleared for tea plantations and agricultural expansion. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction, while climate change threatens to shift the cool, moist conditions essential for its survival to higher elevations where suitable habitat may not exist.
Where does Prunus ceylanica live?
Prunus ceylanica 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 Prunus ceylanica?
The main threats to Prunus ceylanica 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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