Unshoe-the-horse
EN

Unshoe-the-horse

Botrychium lunaria

UnknownLCEULCEULCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botrychium_lunaria

Overview

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

Botrychium lunaria faces severe population declines primarily due to agricultural intensification and grassland conversion, which destroys the calcareous grasslands and meadows essential for its survival. Habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting spore dispersal. Overgrazing by livestock and recreational trampling further degrade suitable sites, while climate change alters the delicate moisture and temperature conditions this species requires for its complex underground gametophyte phase.

Threat summary

Habitat

Botrychium lunaria inhabits short, species-rich calcareous grasslands, chalk downs, limestone pavements, and ancient meadows with thin, well-drained soils. The species requires stable, low-intensity grazing regimes that maintain open conditions while preventing soil compaction and vegetation overgrowth.

Other threatened species in Ophioglossaceae

Little MoonwortEN

Little Moonwort

Botrychium simplex

Unknown
Ophioglossum vulgatumVU

Ophioglossum vulgatum

Unknown
northern moonwortVU

northern moonwort

Botrychium boreale

Unknown
Small Adder's-tongueCR

Small Adder's-tongue

Ophioglossum azoricum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Unshoe-the-horse classified as Endangered?
Unshoe-the-horse is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Botrychium lunaria faces severe population declines primarily due to agricultural intensification and grassland conversion, which destroys the calcareous grasslands and meadows essential for its survival. Habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting spore dispersal. Overgrazing by livestock and recreational trampling further degrade suitable sites, while climate change alters the delicate moisture and temperature conditions this species requires for its complex underground gametophyte phase.
Where does Unshoe-the-horse live?
Unshoe-the-horse 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 Unshoe-the-horse?
The main threats to Unshoe-the-horse 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.