Sander's Paphiopedilum
CR

Sander's Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum sanderianum

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paphiopedilum_sanderianum

Overview

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

Paphiopedilum sanderianum faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, driven by its extraordinary ribbon-like petals that can exceed one meter in length. Habitat destruction through logging and agricultural conversion in its native Bornean rainforests has fragmented remaining populations. The species' extremely slow growth rate and specialized pollination requirements make recovery particularly challenging once populations decline.

Threat summary

Habitat

This terrestrial orchid inhabits the understory of lowland and hill dipterocarp forests in Borneo, typically growing on steep slopes with good drainage in deep leaf litter. It requires the humid, shaded conditions of primary rainforest with consistent moisture and minimal temperature fluctuation.

Rocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationLegislation

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
VU

Disperis galerita

Declining

Threatened in Malaysia

Acropora hemprichiiEN

Acropora hemprichii

Declining
VU

Podocarpus ridleyi

Declining
EN

Benstonea saint-johnii

Unknown
VU

Hopea coriacea

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sander's Paphiopedilum classified as Critically Endangered?
Sander'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 sanderianum faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, driven by its extraordinary ribbon-like petals that can exceed one meter in length. Habitat destruction through logging and agricultural conversion in its native Bornean rainforests has fragmented remaining populations. The species' extremely slow growth rate and specialized pollination requirements make recovery particularly challenging once populations decline.
Where does Sander's Paphiopedilum live?
Sander'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 Sander's Paphiopedilum?
The main threats to Sander's Paphiopedilum are 5.1, 5.4, 8.3, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.