Selenipedium dodsonii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Selenipedium dodsonii faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as cloud forests in its limited Ecuadorian range are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes entire populations vulnerable to localized disturbances, while illegal collection for the horticultural trade targets this rare slipper orchid. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the precise moisture and temperature conditions required by this cloud forest specialist.
Habitat
This terrestrial orchid inhabits pristine cloud forests on the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, typically growing in moss-covered areas with constant moisture and filtered sunlight. It requires the specific microclimate conditions found at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters where persistent cloud cover maintains high humidity levels.
