CR

Zingiber odoriferum

Declining

Overview

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

Zingiber odoriferum faces severe population decline due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion of its native lowland forest habitat in Peninsular Malaysia. The species is further threatened by overcollection for its aromatic rhizomes, which are valued in traditional medicine and as spice ingredients. Urban development and palm oil plantation expansion have fragmented remaining populations into isolated patches, reducing genetic diversity and reproductive success.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered ginger species inhabits lowland tropical rainforests and forest margins in Peninsular Malaysia, typically growing in shaded understory conditions with rich, well-drained soils. It occurs at elevations below 300 meters in both primary and secondary forest environments.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in ZINGIBERACEAE

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Newmania gracilis

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Newmania sontraensis

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Zingiber engganoense

Unknown
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Zingiber lecongkietii

Unknown

Threatened in Indonesia

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Acropora hemprichiiEN

Acropora hemprichii

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Bacan Myzomela

Myzomela batjanensis

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Hopea coriacea

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Zingiber odoriferum classified as Critically Endangered?
Zingiber odoriferum 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. Zingiber odoriferum faces severe population decline due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion of its native lowland forest habitat in Peninsular Malaysia. The species is further threatened by overcollection for its aromatic rhizomes, which are valued in traditional medicine and as spice ingredients. Urban development and palm oil plantation expansion have fragmented remaining populations into isolated patches, reducing genetic diversity and reproductive success.
Where does Zingiber odoriferum live?
Zingiber odoriferum 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 Zingiber odoriferum?
The main threats to Zingiber odoriferum are 5.3, 5.4, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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