Colombia is a country located in the northwestern region of South America with an area of 1,141,748 km. In its territory there are more than 27,000 species of plants, 796 are categorized in some threat category as a result of illegal wood extraction, excessive deforestation and climate change. Colombia’s plants, such as those around the world, not only serve as food or as raw materials, but are ecosystems in themselves, important to preserve to avoid the alteration of the ecosystem they are and the ecosystem they inhabit.
If you want to know more about Colombia’s Flora, this interesting article continues to read examples of in danger of extinction in Colombia.
Abarco or Cariniana pyriformis
The Abarco, also known as Pepinillo, is a tree of the Lecythidaceae family that grows in the Sinú River Valley, in the north of Chocó and in the Catatumbo region. The great resistance of its wood makes it used in the artisanal sector and in the construction. Is located nationally in Critical danger (PC) since its overexploitation, deforestation and the destination of land for extensive agriculture and livestock has made its population reduced in the last 100 years in more than 80%.
Azucena or Cattleya Quadricolor orchid
The Azucena orchid is a type of orchid that is located in the upper Cauca river basin in the departments of Risaralda, Quindío and Valle del Cauca. Until 1940 this Colombian plant was still abundant, however, to excessive collection that has been developing for more than 100 years and the reduction of its habitat due to deforestation has had a strong negative impact on the number of its populations. Nationally is in Danger of extinction (en).
Ambiguous Bromelias or Ambiguous Billbergia
It is an endemic species of the north in the Central Cordillera of Colombia, it is only in the town of Providencia belonging to the Department of Antioquia. It was recorded in a tropical humid forest which has suffered different threats, such as the establishment of illegal crops or the extraction of gold. It has a presence in the territory less than 100 km2. His state of threat in the national category is Critical danger (CR).
Bromelia Nidus-Puellae
This bromelia is endemic to the middle valley of the Magdalena River, finding in tropical dry forest formations. There are historical records that prove that this species was cultivated on a small scale, but it is possible that it is currently practically extinct since susceptible to the alterations that its habitat may suffer. The state in which it is in the national category is Critical Extinction Danger (CR).
Cedar or cedrela odorata
Meliáceas family tree distributed throughout the American intertropical zone. In the Colombian country it was registered in all departments, except in Guainía, Norte de Santander, Vaupés and Vichada. Its wood is used for the manufacture of musical instruments, artisanal objects, doors, furniture, among others. Approximately 60% of their populations are in intensive exploitation regions, therefore being categorized nationwide as in Danger of extinction (en).
Slender coquito or reinhardtia gracilis
The slender coquito is a kind of palm tree that is located in a surrounding area of Colombia, and is highly appreciated as an ornamental plant. The fact that you are in critical danger of extinction (PC) It is due to the fact that the tropical wet forest zone in which it is located, especially the foothold of the Serranía de Darién, has been deforested for the realization of agricultural activities.
Cradle of Venus or Anguloa Brevilabris
Earth’s orchid located in the western zone of the Eastern mountain range to an altitude between 1,700 to 2,300 m. It is one of the native plants of Colombia and the natural area it occupies is an area of less than 500 km2 so it is categorized in Danger of extinction (en). It is used for ornamental purposes.
Chanul or Humiriastrum Procerum
Chanul is a tree that is currently in Critical Extinction Danger (CR) Due to the quality of its wood that is used for naval constructions, stairs, furniture, floors and beams. This is one of the Native Colombia plants which grows on the hills in tropical wet forests at non -higher heights of the 800m altitude. The areas in which it has been found have a great timber exploitation.
May Flor or Cattleya Trianae
Orchid originally from Colombia being the emblematic flore of the country. It is distributed in the ecoregion of Alto Magdalena, in the departments of Cundinamarca, Huila and Tolima. For more than 50 years it has been abusive, this activity added to the deforestation of the areas to which it belongs, has made some of its populations disappear causing it to be found In danger of extinction (in).
Molinillo or Iryanthera Megistocarpa
Arboreal kind of the MyRisticaceae family located in the Colombian Central Mountains between Los Ríos Claro and Samaná Norte, on the slope of the Magdalena Valley. Its wood is used for the elaboration of cleaning utensils, so it is being strongly exploited until it is taken to the category of In danger of extinction (in).
Magnolio or Magnolia Polyhypsophylla
Species originally from Colombia that grows in the window region, in the Central Cordillera. Its appreciated wood used for the manufacture of furniture, sawdust and construction beams, makes this species be exploited excessively being currently in the category of Critical Extinction Danger (PC).
Mararay Macanillo or Aiphanes Graminifolia
Aiphanes is a genus of plants of the Palmeras family, which has about 34 species. The graminifolia Aipjanes or commonly called Mararay Macanillo is only known in the western aspect of the Eastern Cordillera of the Department of Santander. It grows exactly inside Premontano wet forest. It is categorized nationally as Critical Extinction Danger (PC).
MASDEVALLIA APPARITIO
Ornamental use orchid that is only known in the town of the North of the Colombian Western Cordillera at an altitude between 1800 and 2200 m of altitude. Its habitat is being strongly destroyed due to deforestation, being in Critical Extinction Danger (CR).
Aspasicensis Restrepia
Kind of orchid that is living in elevations between 1500 to 2300 m in the Eastern mountain range, in the region of the municipality of Aspasica. It is used as an ornamental plant, despite its small size. Deforestation is the main activity that threatens this species by destroying its habitat, so it is categorized in Critical Extinction Danger (PC).
Pandurata Restrepia
Epiphyte species that is located in the Eastern mountain range, in wet and cloudy forests. Its habitat has suffered a great reduction being this 100 km2 and is categorized in Critical Extinction Danger (PC). The use it has is ornamental.
Other plants in danger of extinction in Colombia
Finally, we indicate here Other names of in danger of extinction in Colombia:
- Palmas Mararay de San Carlos or AIPHANES LEIOSTACHYS.
- Colombian pine or Podocarpus oleifolius.
- Palosanto or Guaiacum officinale L.
- Mangle born o Oleífera ducke.
Now that you have met all these species of Colombian plants in danger of extinction, you may be interested in reading about Colombia’s flora and fauna and the natural resources of Colombia. In addition, here you can read about +20 plants in danger of extinction and its causes and 12 trees in danger of extinction, encompassing species around the world.
If you want to read more articles similar to In danger of extinction in Colombiawe recommend that you enter our biology category.
