CR

Rothschild's Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum rothschildianum

Declining

Overview

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

Paphiopedilum rothschildianum faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, with individual plants commanding extremely high prices among collectors. The species' restricted range on Mount Kinabalu makes entire populations vulnerable to over-harvesting, while habitat degradation from tourism infrastructure and climate change further threatens the remaining wild populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This terrestrial orchid is endemic to the ultramafic soils of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, growing in montane forest clearings and along forest edges at elevations between 500-1,200 meters. The species requires the specific mineral-rich, well-draining soils derived from serpentine rock formations found only in this limited geographic area.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionResource & habitat protectionSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

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Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

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VU

Disperis galerita

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Acropora hemprichiiEN

Acropora hemprichii

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VU

Podocarpus ridleyi

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Benstonea saint-johnii

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Hopea coriacea

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rothschild's Paphiopedilum classified as Critically Endangered?
Rothschild's Paphiopedilum 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. Paphiopedilum rothschildianum faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, with individual plants commanding extremely high prices among collectors. The species' restricted range on Mount Kinabalu makes entire populations vulnerable to over-harvesting, while habitat degradation from tourism infrastructure and climate change further threatens the remaining wild populations.
Where does Rothschild's Paphiopedilum live?
Rothschild's Paphiopedilum occurs in Malaysia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rothschild's Paphiopedilum?
The main threats to Rothschild's Paphiopedilum are 11.1, 2.1, 3.2, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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