CR

Spiranthera speciosa

Declining

Overview

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

Spiranthera speciosa faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its native range in Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Mining activities and urban expansion have further fragmented the remaining forest patches where this species occurs. The conversion of its specialized habitat for cattle ranching and sugarcane cultivation has eliminated much of its historical range, leaving only isolated populations in protected areas and forest remnants.

Threat summary

Habitat

Spiranthera speciosa is endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica), where it inhabits humid lowland and montane forests with rich, well-drained soils. This species typically occurs in primary and mature secondary forest understory, requiring the specific microclimate conditions provided by intact forest canopy.

Conservation measures underway

Ex-situ conservation

Other threatened species in RUTACEAE

CR

Melicope quadrangularis

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Melicope wawraeana

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Vepris drummondii

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Zanthoxylum mildbraedii

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Spiranthera speciosa classified as Critically Endangered?
Spiranthera speciosa 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. Spiranthera speciosa faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion throughout its native range in Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Mining activities and urban expansion have further fragmented the remaining forest patches where this species occurs. The conversion of its specialized habitat for cattle ranching and sugarcane cultivation has eliminated much of its historical range, leaving only isolated populations in protected areas and forest remnants.
Where does Spiranthera speciosa live?
Spiranthera speciosa 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 Spiranthera speciosa?
The main threats to Spiranthera speciosa 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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