Sphaeradenia brachiolata
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Sphaeradenia brachiolata faces significant pressure from deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its limited range in Central American cloud forests. Agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and coffee cultivation, has reduced suitable habitat patches and isolated remaining populations. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture regimes essential for this epiphytic orchid's survival in montane environments.
Habitat
This epiphytic orchid inhabits humid montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,200-2,400 meters, growing on moss-covered tree branches and trunks. It requires consistent moisture and filtered light conditions typical of Central American cloud forest ecosystems.