CR

Sessile-leaved Rhodothamnus

Rhodothamnus sessilifolius

Declining

Overview

Rhodothamnus sessilifolius, commonly known as the sessile-leaved rhodothamnus, is a flowering plant in the family Ericaceae. It is endemic to Turkey.

Rhodothamnus sessilifolius faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to limestone quarrying and construction activities in its restricted alpine range. Climate change poses an additional critical threat, as rising temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly limited high-altitude refugia. The species' extremely small population size and fragmented distribution make it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks.

Threat summary

Habitat

This rare alpine shrub inhabits limestone cliffs, rocky crevices, and scree slopes in the Eastern Alps, typically occurring at elevations between 1,500-2,400 meters. It requires specific calcareous substrates and cool, humid microclimates found in north-facing rock faces and protected alpine valleys.

Rocky areas· major

Other threatened species in ERICACEAE

VU

Cavendishia macrocephala

Unknown
EN

Cavendishia sessiliflora

Unknown
VU

Macleania crassa

Unknown
CR

Orthaea caudata

Unknown

Threatened in Türkiye

Luschan's SalamanderEN

Luschan's Salamander

Lyciasalamandra luschani

Declining
VU

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Anser erythropus

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
Common Fire SalamanderVU

Common Fire Salamander

Salamandra salamandra

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sessile-leaved Rhodothamnus classified as Critically Endangered?
Sessile-leaved Rhodothamnus 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. Rhodothamnus sessilifolius faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to limestone quarrying and construction activities in its restricted alpine range. Climate change poses an additional critical threat, as rising temperatures force this cold-adapted species to retreat to increasingly limited high-altitude refugia. The species' extremely small population size and fragmented distribution make it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks.
Where does Sessile-leaved Rhodothamnus live?
Sessile-leaved Rhodothamnus occurs in Türkiye. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sessile-leaved Rhodothamnus?
The main threats to Sessile-leaved Rhodothamnus are 2.1, 2.3, 5.3, and 5.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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