CRCritically Endangered

Salacia wrightii

Unknown

Overview

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

Salacia wrightii faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat conversion for agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Western Ghats. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction, while collection pressure for traditional medicinal uses has further reduced wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required by this endemic shrub.
Threat summary

Habitat

Salacia wrightii is endemic to the tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of the Western Ghats in India, typically occurring in moist, shaded understory environments at elevations between 500-1200 meters. The species requires specific microclimate conditions with high humidity and consistent moisture levels found in these biodiversity-rich montane forest ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Celastraceae

Verdolaga

Tricerma phyllanthoides

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Salacia wrightii classified as Critically Endangered?

Salacia wrightii 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. Salacia wrightii faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat conversion for agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Western Ghats. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat destruction, while collection pressure for traditional medicinal uses has further reduced wild populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific moisture and temperature conditions required by this endemic shrub.

Where does Salacia wrightii live?

Salacia wrightii 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 Salacia wrightii?

The main threats to Salacia wrightii 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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