Date of publication 28/09/2023
Endangered plants of the World
In some regions, plants make up a larger share of endangered species than animals, fungi, or other forms of life. In other words, more plant species are threatened than animals or fungi. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the most comprehensive source of information on the global status of fauna and flora, classifies them as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered according to the degree of threat they face.
Understanding that each of these complex and delicate organisms plays an important role in Earth’s web of life can make a difference. Responsible tourism has much to contribute in this respect, as travel offers new opportunities to learn more about the plants found in each destination and, in turn, how to protect them. Here, we’ll tell you about some of these species: natural wonders whose beauty and cellular intelligence make the world a better place. For that very reason, they are worth caring for, like a living, changing treasure that speaks of who we are and where we are headed in the universe.
Endangered Plants in the Mediterranean
Posidonia (Posidonia oceanica)
According to Greek mythology, the Nereids, half-woman and half-fish, were protectors of the ocean. One of these beings, daughter of the god Poseidon and the nymph Halia, was entrusted with caring for an aquatic plant that would change the course of history. But before revealing the meaning behind this fascinating legend, here’s a fact: according to the IUCN Red List, most endangered plants in Spain today are either endemic or native species. This is the case of Posidonia oceanica, a species found only in the Mediterranean. In fact, this species shares its name with the guardian mermaid from the myth. Posidonia is found throughout the Mediterranean, where it forms underwater meadows in front of beaches and coves in places such as the Balearic Islands. Simply by existing, it helps protect the health of the coastline, acting as a natural barrier against erosion. Its ecosystem also supports many animals and plants, providing them with both food and shelter.
If, during your next vacation in Mallorca, you’re lucky enough to swim at one of these beaches and coves, remember that the quality of their turquoise, crystal-clear waters depends largely on the Posidonia meadows that help filter them. From Iberostar Selection Albufera Park, which together with Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa forms the sustainably minded Iberostar Selection Albufera resort, you’ll have direct access to Playa de Muro, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches and recognized many times for its environmental quality.
If, during your next vacation in Mallorca, you’re lucky enough to swim at one of these beaches and coves, remember that the quality of their turquoise, crystal-clear waters depends largely on the Posidonia meadows that help filter them. From Iberostar Selection Albufera Park, which together with Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa forms the sustainably minded Iberostar Selection Albufera resort, you’ll have direct access to Playa de Muro, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches and recognized many times for its environmental quality.
Prat Orchid (Anacamptis palustris)
Nearby, in S’Albufera Natural Park, you’ll find the Prat orchid, or Anacamptis palustris, one of the endangered flowering plants currently classified as Vulnerable. Its clusters of purple blooms release a sweet fragrance that attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, helping maintain the delicate balance between plant and animal life. Since 2009, the species has been protected under a dedicated conservation plan, a measure that has contributed to the gradual recovery of its population.
The presence of an endangered species within a protected natural area is an encouraging sign, reflecting the park’s importance as a haven for biodiversity. If you’re staying at one of Iberostar’s hotels in Mallorca, consider exploring the reserve by bike or on foot to discover the beauty of this remarkable orchid and many other native Mediterranean plant species.
Gran Canaria Dragon Tree (Dracaena tamaranae)
Of all the endangered plant species in Spain, the Gran Canaria dragon tree is perhaps the most iconic. By the late 19th century, the dragon tree had become a symbol of the Canary Islands, and today its striking silhouette remains one of the archipelago’s most recognizable natural landmarks. If you choose the Canary Islands for your next vacation, chances are you’ll encounter this remarkable species, particularly on Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where dragon trees grow naturally in the wild.
The Gran Canaria dragon tree can reach heights of up to 40 feet, making it one of the most impressive native trees in the islands. Yet despite its iconic status, it remains extremely rare. Only 76 specimens have been officially recorded, and just 13 of them are mature individuals, highlighting the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to ensure the survival of this unique species.
Ifach Silene (Silene hifacensis)
Several endangered plant species in the Mediterranean belong to genera such as Asplenium, Limonium, and Silene, which include ferns, sea lavenders, and herbaceous flowering plants. Among the rarest is the Ifach silene, a species endemic to Alicante and Ibiza. The Iberostar Selection Santa Eulalia Ibiza is an ideal base for exploring the island’s natural landscapes and discovering its unique flora.
The plant’s delicate flowers, which range in color from white to pale pink, are particularly vulnerable to environmental pressures and changing climate conditions. Today, it is estimated that fewer than 150 individuals remain in the wild, placing the species in the Critically Endangered category. Encountering one during a nature walk is a rare privilege and a reminder of how fragile biodiversity can be.
If you’re interested in discovering endangered plants and learning more about the ecosystems that support them, make a point of asking about local flora when you travel. Reading this article is already a first step. The next is choosing the Iberostar hotel in Spain that best matches your travel style and your desire to connect more deeply with nature.
Caribbean Endangered Plants
Mandrake Cactus, Biznaguita, or Palito (Turbinicarpus mandragora)
The Mexican Caribbean is home to a remarkable diversity of plant life, including numerous species of both flora and fauna threatened with extinction. Among them is the mandrake cactus, known locally in Mexico as biznaguita or palito. This small cactus is distinguished by its rounded shape, long black spines, and white woolly growths that give it an appearance reminiscent of bird feathers.
Its delicate pink and yellow flowers possess a striking beauty that has made the species highly desirable as an ornamental plant. Unfortunately, illegal collection for commercial trade is one of the main reasons why this rare cactus is now at risk of disappearing from its natural habitat. As with many endangered plant species, its survival depends on conservation efforts and a greater appreciation for the value of preserving native ecosystems where these unique plants have evolved over centuries.
From its hotels in Mexico, Iberostar leads a variety of sustainability initiatives aimed at protecting endangered species, including coral, which, despite its plant-like appearance, belongs to the animal kingdom. The Coral Labs in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, research and conservation centers located within Iberostar’s Caribbean resorts, are dedicated to studying new ways to protect coral reefs and better understand their role in addressing the climate crisis.
Through restoration, monitoring, and scientific research, these programs contribute to safeguarding some of the Caribbean’s most valuable marine ecosystems, helping ensure their resilience for future generations.
Castela senticosa (Simaroubaceae: Sapindales)
Castela senticosa was recently added to the list of endangered plant species following its identification in the Martín García mountain range of the Dominican Republic, a discovery published in Systematic Botany. This thorny shrub is characterized by its dense covering of spines and its small white flowers, which contrast delicately with its rugged appearance.
The species grows in mountainous regions with tropical dry forests, ecosystems that are increasingly vulnerable to environmental pressures and habitat loss. Its recent classification highlights the importance of continued botanical research and conservation efforts, as many threatened plant species remain little known despite their ecological significance.
Other Endangered Plants Around the World
Ancient Shihuahuaco or Cumaru (Dipteryx micrantha)
The Amazon is home to an extraordinary diversity of life, from fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds to fungi and plant species that depend on its warm, humid climate to survive. If you're wondering which plants are endangered in this remarkable ecosystem, one of the planet’s most important carbon sinks and one of the regions most affected by climate change and declining rainfall, the answer is sobering: today, nearly half of the Amazon’s tree species face some level of threat.
Among them is the ancient shihuahuaco, also known as cumaru, a tree that has been part of the Amazon rainforest’s natural history for thousands of years. These towering giants provide shelter and support for countless other species that depend on their trunks and branches for survival. A shihuahuaco can live for more than 1,000 years and weigh up to 44 tons, making it one of the most impressive trees in the rainforest.
When a single shihuahuaco is cut down, the impact extends far beyond the loss of one tree. Its removal creates a massive gap in the forest canopy and disrupts the delicate ecological balance of the surrounding habitat, affecting the many species that rely on it and weakening the health of the forest as a whole.
Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
Bromeliads grow high in the branches of Amazonian trees, having adapted to life without soil. Their vase-shaped leaves collect and store rainwater, allowing the plant to thrive in the rainforest canopy. These natural reservoirs also create miniature ecosystems, providing shelter for insects, frogs, and other small animals.
A bromeliad flowers only once during its lifetime, producing a brief yet spectacular display that highlights the fragile beauty of the species. Today, nearly one-third of the approximately 2,700 bromeliad species are considered threatened with extinction. Habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change continue to put pressure on these remarkable plants and the ecosystems they support.
A journey aboard the Iberostar Heritage Grand Amazon, a river cruise on the Amazon, offers a unique opportunity to better understand how this extraordinary habitat functions and how the countless species of the rainforest depend on one another to survive and thrive.
Jade Vine or Emerald Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)
The jade vine, also known as the emerald vine or turquoise jade vine, belongs to the legume family. Native to the tropical forests of the Philippines, this striking climbing plant grows in cascading clusters that drape from trees like curtains of turquoise-green blossoms. Perhaps because of its unusual color, often associated with prosperity and abundance, it has long been linked to good fortune.
One of the plant’s most remarkable features is its rare coloration. Few flowers in the natural world display such vivid shades of green or blue-green. Its distinctive blooms eventually give way to fleshy seed pods, each of which can contain up to 12 seeds.
Today, the jade vine faces significant threats in its natural habitat. Deforestation and the loss of tropical forests have reduced the areas where it can grow and reproduce, placing increasing pressure on the survival of one of the world’s most extraordinary flowering plants.
Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
We’ll end this botanical journey around the world with one of the most unusual endangered plants on record: the Venus flytrap. Native to the wetlands and coastal plains of the southeastern United States, this carnivorous plant captures and digests live prey, feeding primarily on insects and spiders.
Its remarkable hunting mechanism and distinctive appearance have made it one of the most recognizable plants in the world. You’ve likely seen it featured in popular culture, including films such as the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors. Yet the fascination it inspires has also contributed to its decline. For decades, illegal collection from the wild has threatened natural populations, as demand for the plant as an ornamental specimen continues to grow.
Today, many Venus flytraps are cultivated in nurseries to help meet consumer demand and reduce pressure on wild populations. Even so, habitat loss and illegal harvesting remain significant challenges for the long-term survival of this extraordinary species.
