CR

Dendrobium officinale

Unknown

Overview

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

Dendrobium officinale faces severe population decline primarily due to overcollection for traditional Chinese medicine, where it is highly valued as a premium medicinal herb. Wild populations have been devastated by commercial harvesting to meet growing market demand, while habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urbanization has eliminated many remaining colonies. The species' slow growth rate and specific epiphytic requirements make natural recovery extremely difficult once populations are depleted.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic orchid grows on tree trunks and rock faces in montane forests and cliff environments across southern China, typically at elevations between 500-1600 meters. It requires high humidity, filtered light conditions, and specific host trees or limestone substrates for attachment and nutrient absorption.

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
VU

Disperis galerita

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dendrobium officinale classified as Critically Endangered?
Dendrobium officinale 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. Dendrobium officinale faces severe population decline primarily due to overcollection for traditional Chinese medicine, where it is highly valued as a premium medicinal herb. Wild populations have been devastated by commercial harvesting to meet growing market demand, while habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urbanization has eliminated many remaining colonies. The species' slow growth rate and specific epiphytic requirements make natural recovery extremely difficult once populations are depleted.
Where does Dendrobium officinale live?
Dendrobium officinale 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 Dendrobium officinale?
The main threats to Dendrobium officinale 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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