CR

Virgin Mary Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum victoria-mariae

Declining

Overview

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

Paphiopedilum victoria-mariae faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, with its striking flowers making it highly sought after by collectors. The species' extremely restricted range in Sumatra makes entire populations vulnerable to overcollection. Habitat destruction through palm oil plantation expansion and logging has further reduced available growing sites, while the species' slow growth and specific pollination requirements limit natural recovery.

Threat summary

Habitat

This terrestrial orchid grows in the understory of lowland and hill dipterocarp forests in Sumatra, typically on limestone substrates with good drainage. It requires the humid, shaded conditions of primary forest with specific mycorrhizal associations in the soil.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationLegislation

Other threatened species in ORCHIDACEAE

EN

Porpax angustifolia

Unknown
EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
CR

The Lost Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis arunachalensis

Declining
VU

Disperis galerita

Declining

Threatened in Indonesia

EN

Speckle-faced Bent-toed Gecko

Cyrtodactylus psarops

Unknown
Acropora hemprichiiEN

Acropora hemprichii

Declining
VU

Bacan Myzomela

Myzomela batjanensis

Declining
VU

Hopea coriacea

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Virgin Mary Paphiopedilum classified as Critically Endangered?
Virgin Mary Paphiopedilum 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. Paphiopedilum victoria-mariae faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the international orchid trade, with its striking flowers making it highly sought after by collectors. The species' extremely restricted range in Sumatra makes entire populations vulnerable to overcollection. Habitat destruction through palm oil plantation expansion and logging has further reduced available growing sites, while the species' slow growth and specific pollination requirements limit natural recovery.
Where does Virgin Mary Paphiopedilum live?
Virgin Mary Paphiopedilum occurs in Indonesia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Virgin Mary Paphiopedilum?
The main threats to Virgin Mary Paphiopedilum are 5.3, 5.4, 8.3, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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