15 PLANTS IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION IN COLOMBIA - BIOLOGY - 2025

The plants endangered in Colombia are the result of the destruction of natural habitats. Including deforestation, forest fires, expansion of urban areas and the use of natural spaces for agricultural exploitation.

Indeed, Colombia is one of the countries with the highest biodiversity index on the planet, being included among the seventeen megadiverse countries. In this country there are 59 protected areas, 311 continental and coastal ecosystems, and 60% of the Andean ecosystem is classified as páramos.

Cattleya mendelii Source: Orchi

In addition, in Colombia there are two regions with high levels of biodiversity: the Tropical Andes and the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena region. For the year 2019, Colombia registers 62,829 species, of which 9,000 are classified as endemic for each specific region.

However, at present the biodiversity in Colombia presents an alarming picture due to the effects caused by years of human intervention. Meanwhile, climate change will expand the possibilities for foreign species to occupy the natural spaces of native species.

According to a recent study, in Colombia there are 4,812 protected species, of which 66 are at high risk of extinction, including 11 species of orchids. The regions with the highest risk are the departments of Antioquia, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Santander and Valle del Cauca.

Here are 15 main species of plants on the way to extinction in Colombia:

Orchids

Anguloa brevilabris

Species of land orchid with large flowers, bright colors and striking shapes, known as the "cradle of Venus". It is located exclusively in the western zone of the Eastern Cordillera, in the department of Cundinamarca, between 1,700-2,300 meters above sea level.

It is a plant categorized in danger. The natural habitat zone occupies an area of ​​less than 500 km ², additionally it is located near Bogotá, which facilitates its collection and extraction as an ornament.

Anguloa brevilabris. Source: Orchi

Restrepia pandurata

Epiphytic species located in humid and cloudy forests. It is located only in the Eastern Cordillera, in the Department of Cundinamarca, in the locality of the Fusagasugá municipality.

It is usually used as an ornament, being categorized in critical danger. It presents a drastic decrease in its natural habitat, limiting itself to 100 km ², and the population reduction is greater than 50%.

Restrepia pandurata. Source: Orchi

Cattleya mendelii

Epiphytic or rupicolous orchid that grows on large trees or stone walls around streams or streams. They are located in cloudy and slightly humid transition forests on slopes and slopes. It is classified in critical danger.

In its natural habitat it blooms abundantly during the months of March and May, emitting a strong pleasant aroma. It is located in the Norte de Santander and Santander departments, where it has been displaced by indiscriminate logging and extraction as ornament.

Comparettia ignea

Epiphytic plant with showy and abundant flowers of red-yellowish tones, located in the high branches of arboreal species in tropical humid forests. It is an endemic species of the Colombian Western Cordillera located between 1,400-1,600 meters above sea level in the department of Antioquia.

It is an ornamental species, used in the creation of hybrids, which is why it is very attractive commercially. At present, a reduction of the population greater than 80% is estimated, because it is outlined in critical danger.

Magnoliaceae, myristicaceae and podocarp

Magnolia polyhypsophylla

Tree species of the Magnoliaceae family that reaches 25 m in height and up to 80 cm in diameter at the stem level. It presents a highly valued wood for the manufacture of furniture, construction beams and sawdust.

It is commonly referred to as bush magnolia or window blackened due to the black color of the wood grain. It is an endemic species of the Ventanas region in the department of Antioquia in the central mountain range of Colombia.

The species is considered critically endangered due to the expansion of agricultural and livestock lands in its place of origin. Recent explorations of their natural habitat allowed the detection of few adult individuals, hence the importance of collecting seeds for their preservation.

Young plant of Magnolia polyhypsophylla. Source: Abel Alan Marcarini

Iryanthera megistocarpa

Medium-sized arboreal species of the Myristicaceae family, frequently called jack or pinwheel. It is located in the central mountain range of Colombia between the Samaná Norte and Claro rivers, on the slopes of the Magdalena valley in the department of Antioquia.

It is a tree that adapts to tropical humid forest conditions at altitude levels between 400-900 meters above sea level. The wood of this species is used to make sticks for cleaning utensils, which affects its survival. The species is considered endangered.

Podocarpus oleifolius

Tree species of the Podocarpaceae Family known as Colombian pine, it is a plant in the vulnerable category. In Colombia it is located in the Andean Cordillera, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to the Serranía de Perijá, at 1,900-3,800 meters above sea level.

It is a plant that develops in sub-Andean and Andean forests, humid and very humid, forming thick forests with other species. Its wood is used in joinery and carpentry, and even as living and ornamental fences in parks and gardens.

Podocarpus oleifolius. Source: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, BC, Canada

Timber species in critical danger

Cariniana pyriformis

Tall tree that grows in dry and humid tropical forests; it is known as an encompass or chibugá. In Colombia it is located north of Chocó, Urabá, the Cauca-Magdalena basin and Catatumbo, between 30-770 meters above sea level.

It is a species of high commercial value due to its resistant wood used in construction, joinery and carpentry. At present it is difficult to locate mulberry wood as a consequence of the decline in natural populations.

Activities such as overexploitation of the species, indiscriminate logging and the expansion of extensive agriculture and livestock have reduced its population. It is categorized as a critically endangered species.

Abarco (Cariniana pyriformis). Source: Alejandro Bayer Tamayo from Armenia, Colombia

Guaiacum officinale

Timber tree that grows in dry forests and xerophilous scrub, on sandy soils in coastal areas. It is located in the coastal departments of Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira and Sucre at altitude levels above sea level up to 350 meters above sea level.

It is frequently known as guayacán, beach guayacán, black guayacán, palosanto or florazul. In addition to its use as fine wood, it is used for its medicinal properties as a diuretic, sudorific and antisiphilitic.

At present it has lost a large part of its natural areas due to urban expansion and a high level of commercial exploitation. It is a critically endangered species.

Black Guayacan (Guaiacum officinale). Source: Forest & Kim Starr

Swietenia macrophylla

Commonly known as mahogany, apamate, mahogany cedar, granadillo or rosewood. In Colombia it is located in the departments of Chocó, Bolívar, La Guajira, Magdalena, Santander and Sucre.

Species that grows in regions with a dry or humid climate with a strong dry season, on flat, slightly fertile terrain and rainfall of 1,500-3,500 mm annually. Mahogany wood is highly valued commercially for its fine finish and variety of applications. Mahogany is categorized as a critically endangered species.

Endangered timber species

Cedrela odorata

Cedar is a timber species widely distributed in Colombia, in the Andean foothills and regions below 2,000 meters above sea level. It is located in humid and dry mountain and lowland secondary forests, loose and well-drained soils.

Cedar wood is used as a veneer to make boards, frames, musical instruments, crafts, doors and veneers. It is a species categorized in danger, since its populations have reduced its density due to intensive exploitation.

Cedar (Cedrela odorata). Source: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, BC, Canada

Oleifera blackberry

Species located in mangrove ecosystems in sedimented areas or muddy beaches in association with other species. Known as mangrove nato, in Colombia it is located in the Pacific mangrove area in the departments of Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Chocó and Nariño.

It is a species used for its highly durable wood for the elaboration of articles placed in the open field such as posts, beams and columns. It is classified in danger due to the high degree of exploitation of its natural population.

Ocotea Quixos

Known as "canelo de los andaquíes" it is an endemic species of the humid tropical forests at 300 meters above sea level. It is located in the foothills of Caquetá and Putumayo, in addition to the banks of the Mirití-Paraná river in the Amazon.

It is a highly exploited species commercially due to the dense and heavy wood, and the bark also has medicinal properties. It is classified as an endangered species as a consequence of the loss of natural habitat and overexploitation of wood.

Palms

Ceroxylon quindiuense

The wax palm of Quindío in the coffee-growing zone is a plant native to the Andean forests. In the regions of Valle del Cauca, Quindío, Antioquia, Risaralda and Cundinamarca

It is a species that grows up to 60 meters in height, being one of the largest monocots in the world. It is a species classified in danger, due to the great fragmentation of its natural population and the reduction of more than 80%.

Wax Palm. Source: Pedro Szekely

Mauritia flexuosa

It is a species of palm tree belonging to the Arecaceae family, commonly called moriche or moriche palm. It is located in the jungle area surrounding the Amazon, in the department of Vichada.

It is a species classified as vulnerable, being the livelihood of the indigenous Sikuani Amorúa. It is used for the construction of houses, handicrafts, textiles and clothing.

References

1. BIO Diversity 2014. Status and trends of continental biodiversity in Colombia (2014) Alexander von Humboldt Colombia Biological Resources Research Institute. ISBN: 978-958-8575-63-2
2. Biodiversity of Colombia (2019) Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
3. Cárdenas L., D. & NR Salinas (eds.) 2007. Red Book of Plants of Colombia. Volume 4: Endangered Timber Species: Part One. Red Book Series on Threatened Species of Colombia. Bogota Colombia. Amazon Institute for Scientific Research SINCHI - Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development. 232 p.
4. Calderón-Sáenz E. (ed.). 2006. Red Book of Plants of Colombia. Volume 3: Orchids, Part One. Red Book Series on Threatened Species of Colombia. Bogota Colombia. Alexander von Humboldt Institute - Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development. 828 p.
5. García, N. (ed.). 2007. Red Book of Plants of Colombia. Volume 5: Magnolias, Myristicaceae, and Podocarp. Red Book Series on Threatened Species of Colombia. Bogota Colombia. Alexander von Humboldt Institute - CORANTIOQUIA - Joaquín Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden of Medellín - Institute of Natural Sciences of the National University of Colombia - Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development. 236 p.
6. Endangered species (2019) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org