CR

Richter's Phragmipedium

Phragmipedium richteri

Declining

Overview

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

Phragmipedium richteri faces severe threats from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, driven by its rarity and distinctive slipper-shaped flowers. Habitat destruction through deforestation and agricultural expansion in its limited Peruvian range has further reduced available populations. Mining activities and infrastructure development pose additional pressures on the remaining fragmented populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This terrestrial orchid inhabits cloud forests and montane forests on steep slopes in the Andes of northern Peru. It grows in humid, shaded environments with well-drained soils at elevations between 1,500-2,500 meters.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSite/area managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislation

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
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Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
CR

Selenipedium chironianum

Declining

Threatened in Peru

Argentinean Horned FrogVU

Argentinean Horned Frog

Ceratophrys ornata

Declining
EN

Polylepis pallidistigma

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Blessed Poison FrogVU

Blessed Poison Frog

Ranitomeya benedicta

Declining
VU

Hypolobocera gracilignatha

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Richter's Phragmipedium classified as Critically Endangered?
Richter's Phragmipedium 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. Phragmipedium richteri faces severe threats from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, driven by its rarity and distinctive slipper-shaped flowers. Habitat destruction through deforestation and agricultural expansion in its limited Peruvian range has further reduced available populations. Mining activities and infrastructure development pose additional pressures on the remaining fragmented populations.
Where does Richter's Phragmipedium live?
Richter's Phragmipedium occurs in Peru. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Richter's Phragmipedium?
The main threats to Richter's Phragmipedium are 5.4, 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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