Vanilla somai
EN

Vanilla somai

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Vanilla somai faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion in its native Madagascar rainforest ecosystems. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its specialized epiphytic lifestyle and dependence on specific host trees, which are being cleared for agricultural expansion and logging. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimatic conditions essential for this orchid's survival and reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

This epiphytic orchid inhabits the humid lowland and montane rainforests of Madagascar, growing on tree trunks and branches in the forest canopy. It requires consistently high humidity and filtered sunlight provided by the dense forest cover.

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 Vanilla somai classified as Endangered?
Vanilla somai 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. Vanilla somai faces severe pressure from deforestation and habitat conversion in its native Madagascar rainforest ecosystems. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its specialized epiphytic lifestyle and dependence on specific host trees, which are being cleared for agricultural expansion and logging. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the humid microclimatic conditions essential for this orchid's survival and reproduction.
Where does Vanilla somai live?
Vanilla somai 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 Vanilla somai?
The main threats to Vanilla somai 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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