Shortstem Philodendron
Philodendron fragrantissimum
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philodendron_fragrantissimum
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Alismatales
Family
Araceae
Genus
Philodendron
Shortstem Philodendron belongs to the family Araceae, order Alismatales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Shortstem Philodendron faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat conversion throughout its native range in Ecuador's cloud forests. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while climate change poses additional risks by altering the specific temperature and humidity conditions required for its survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Endemic to Ecuador's montane cloud forests, typically found as an epiphyte on trees in humid, misty environments at elevations between 1,000-2,500 meters. The species requires the specific microclimate conditions of cloud forests, including consistent moisture, filtered light, and stable temperatures.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Shortstem Philodendron faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat conversion throughout its native range in Ecuador's cloud forests. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, while climate change poses additional risks by altering the specific temperature and humidity conditions required for its survival.
Agricultural expansion
Climate change impacts on cloud forest ecosystems
Deforestation and habitat loss
Limited geographic range
Collection for horticultural trade
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Shortstem Philodendron (Philodendron fragrantissimum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/shortstem-philodendron