A sobering reality looms: according to the 2020 State of the World’s Plants and Fungi Report, a staggering 39.4% of the world’s plants are now threatened with extinction.
This concerning statistic represents a significant jump from the one in five plants estimated to be at risk just a few years earlier.
Here are 13 endangered plants that could vanish from our gardens, and why their preservation is crucial for biodiversity and ecological balance.
1. The Vanishing Angel’s Trumpet
Brugmansia species, commonly known as Angel’s Trumpets, are now extinct in the wild. These stunning plants with large, trumpet-shaped flowers were once native to South America but are now only found in gardens.
Their decline is thought to be linked to the extinction of their natural seed dispersers, highlighting the delicate balance of ecosystems.
2. Golden Fuchsia’s Last Stand
The golden fuchsia (Deppea splendens) highlights the devastating impact of rapid habitat destruction.
Found exclusively in the cloud forests of Chiapas, Mexico, this species was first described in 1972. However, as noted by Recently Extinct Species, its only known habitat was lost to agricultural development by 1986, causing its extinction in the wild.
Now extinct in the wild, all cultivated specimens are believed to descend from a single collection of seeds.
3. Dwarf Ebony’s Cliff-Hanger Existence
Trochetiopsis ebenus, commonly known as the dwarf ebony, was presumed extinct for more than a century. However, as reported by Mongabay, two surviving plants were remarkably found on a cliff face in St. Helena in 1980, offering a glimmer of hope for its conservation.
This remarkable rediscovery underscores the importance of thorough botanical surveys and conservation efforts, even in seemingly inhospitable locations.
4. Blue Amaryllis: A Rare Beauty under Threat
Worsleya procera, the blue amaryllis, faces a dual threat from commercial collecting and frequent wildfires in its native Brazilian habitat. Its striking blue flowers make it a target for poachers, while climate change-induced fires further endanger its survival.
5. The Ghostly Aloe albiflora
Aloe albiflora, recognized for its snow-white flowers, has not been seen in its natural habitat since 1955, as documented by Recently Extinct Species. This disappearance highlights the challenges of safeguarding such rare plants.
This critically endangered species survives in botanic gardens, highlighting the crucial role these institutions play in plant conservation.
6. The Elusive Rhododendron kanehirai
Once native to Taiwan, Rhododendron kanehirai is now one of the world’s rarest rhododendrons. Excessive flooding led to its disappearance from its natural habitat along the Peishi River.
Its survival now depends on careful cultivation in botanic gardens worldwide.
7. Canebrake Pitcher Plant: Alabama’s Carnivorous Rarity
The Canebrake pitcher plant, unique to Alabama, grows in only two counties in the central part of the state. The plant has been on the endangered list for over 40 years, emphasizing the need for habitat protection in specific locales.
8. Nichol’s Turk’s Head Cactus: A Desert Jewel at Risk
Arizona’s Sonoran Desert is home to the Nichol’s Echinocactus, a barrel cactus threatened by seed collectors and mining activities. With a lifespan of up to 39 years, each lost plant represents decades of growth that cannot be quickly replaced.
9. Oregon Checkerbloom: Washington’s Rarest Bloom
The subspecies of Oregon checkerbloom endemic to Washington’s Wenatchee Mountains is the state’s rarest known plant. The plant faces threats from habitat fragmentation and invasive species, illustrating the complex challenges of plant conservation.
10. Santa Cruz Cypress: A Coastal Conifer in Crisis
Cupressus abramsiana, the Santa Cruz cypress, is a rare conifer native to California’s coastal regions. Its limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and fire, emphasizing the need for targeted conservation efforts in specific ecosystems.
11. The Endangered Coast Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens, the iconic coast redwood, is listed as an endangered species. Despite being one of the most recognizable trees in the world, these giants face threats from logging and climate change, showing that even well-known species are not immune to extinction risks.
12. Florida Torreya: A Conifer on the Brink
Torreya taxifolia, commonly known as the Florida torreya, is a critically endangered conifer. Native to a small area along the Florida-Georgia border, this species has been decimated by a fungal disease, demonstrating how pathogens can push plants to the brink of extinction.
13. The Vanishing Virginia Roundleaf Birch
Betula uber, the Virginia roundleaf birch, is an extremely rare tree species. Its limited range and small population size make it highly susceptible to environmental changes, underscoring the importance of preserving genetic diversity in plant populations.
As we’ve seen, the threats to plant diversity are numerous and complex. However, by raising awareness and supporting conservation efforts, we can help ensure these botanical treasures don’t disappear from our gardens – and our planet – forever.
Source:
1. National History Museum
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.