Endangered plants of the World
In some areas of the planet, the number of endangered plants exceeds that of other kingdoms. This means that more plant species are threatened than animals and 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 to which they are threatened.
Understanding that each of these complex and delicate organisms plays an important role on the web of life on Earth can make a difference. Responsible tourism has much to contribute in this aspect, as travel offers novel opportunities to learn more about the plants of destinations, and therefore to learn how to protect them. Here we will tell you about some of these species: natural wonders whose beauty and cellular intelligence make the world a better place. And for that very reason, they are worth caring for; like a living, changing treasure that speaks of who we are and where we are going in the Universe.
Plants in danger of extinction in the Mediterranean
Posidonia (Posidonia oceanica)
According to Greek mythology, the nereids, half-woman, half-fish, were the protectors of the ocean. It was one of these creatures, daughter of the god Poseidon and the nymph Halia, who was entrusted with the mission of caring for an aquatic plant that would change the course of history. But before revealing the meaning of this fascinating legend, here’s a fact: the IUCN Red List states that, at present, most of the plants in danger of extinction in Spain are endemic or native. This is the case of Posidonia oceanica, a species that is only found in the Mediterranean. Indeed, this species shares its name with its guardian mermaid in the myth. It is found throughout the Mediterranean, in particular, it creates the underwater meadows in front of beaches and coves in areas such as the Balearic Islands, where it ensures the health of the coasts with its mere presence, as it acts as a barrier against erosion. Moreover, within its ecosystem, many animals and plants live thanks to the food and protection it provides them.
If, during your next holiday in Mallorca, you are lucky enough to swim in one of these beaches and coves, remember that the quality of these turquoise, crystal-clear waters depends, to a large extent, on the Posidonia meadows, which filter them. From the Iberostar Selection Albufera Park hotel, which together with Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa makes up the Iberostar Selection Albufera resort with a sustainable soul, you will have direct access to Playa de Muro, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and awarded on numerous occasions for its ecological balance.
Prat orchid (Anacamptis palustris)
Very close by, in the S'Albufera Natural Park, is the Prat orchid or palustris, which belongs to the group of endangered flowers classified as Vulnerable. Its purple inflorescences, which grow in the form of a bouquet, give off a sweet aroma that attracts insects such as bees and butterflies, thus facilitating pollination and maintaining the balance between the animal and plant kingdoms. Since 2009 it has had its own conservation plan, thanks to which its population has been increasing. The fact that an endangered species grows in a nature park is a good sign, as it indicates that the area is well-chosen from the point of view of biodiversity protection. If you are staying at one of Iberostar's hotels in Mallorca, we recommend a cycling or walking trip to the reserve to admire the charm of this and other Mediterranean plants.
Gran Canaria Drago Tree (Dracaena tamaranae)
Of all the endangered plants in Spain, the Gran Canaria Dragon Tree is perhaps the best known. This tree became a symbol of the Canary Islands archipelago at the end of the 19th century, when it was registered, so if you choose the Canary Islands for your holidays, you can be sure that its imposing image will accompany your stay. Especially in the hotels of Tenerife or Gran Canaria, islands where the dragon tree thrives in the wild. Did you know that it can reach a height of 12 metres? There are currently 76 specimens registered, of which only 13 have reached maturity.
Ifach Silene (Silene Hifacensis)
Several endangered plant species in the Mediterranean of the genera Asplenium, Limonium and Silene (ferns, evergreens and herbaceous plants) stand out. One of them is the flower known as Ifach Silene, endemic to Alicante and Ibiza. The Iberostar Selection Santa Eulalia Ibiza hotel is located in Ibiza, an ideal accommodation to organise flora observation routes. Its fragile reproductive organs, whose tones range from white to pink, are vulnerable to the onslaught of the climate. It is estimated that there are only 150 of them left today. It is Critically Endangered, so if you come across it on a hike, you will know that you are in the presence of a beautiful rarity. To discover this and other endangered plants, we recommend that you ask about them when you travel. You have already taken the first step by reading this article. Now you just need to choose the Iberostar hotel in Spain that best suits you (and your desire to enjoy nature at your destination).
Caribbean endangered plants
Mandragora, biznaguita or palito (Turbinicarpus mandragora)
In the Mexican Caribbean, there are numerous species of plants and animals in danger of extinction. The mandrake, popularly known in Mexico as biznaguita or palito, is a small cactus with a rounded shape, long black spines and white formations around it that resemble the plumage of a bird. Its flowers, pink and yellow, have a strange elegance and are highly sought after for decoration: illegal extraction for trade is one of the main reasons why it is in danger of disappearing.
From its hotels in Mexico, Iberostar leads sustainability actions to protect endangered species, including coral, which (believe it or not) is part of the animal kingdom. The Coral Labs in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, spaces for research and conservation located in the facilities of the Caribbean accommodations, study new ways to protect coral reefs, as well as their role in the fight against the climate crisis.
Castela senticosa (Simaroubaceae: Sapindales)
Castela senticosa has recently been included in the list of endangered plant species, thanks to a discovery made in the Martín García mountain range in the Dominican Republic, published in Systematic Botany. It is a shrub wrapped in a layer of thorns, with small white flowers, and grows in mountainous climates with tropical dry forests.
Other endangered plants around the world
Shihuahuaco milenario or cumaru (Dipteryx micrantha)
A myriad of amazing species share a home in the Amazon, from fish, mammals, reptiles and birds, to fungi and plants that need its warm, humid climate to survive. If you are wondering which plants are in danger of extinction in this rich ecosystem, one of the planet's green lungs that suffers most from global warming and lack of rainfall, you should know that, today, almost half of its trees are threatened. The thousand-year-old shihuahuaco or cumaru has been linked to the natural history of the Amazon rainforest for millennia, sheltering other species in its trunk and branches. It can live more than a thousand years and weigh up to 40 tons. When one of these trees is felled, a large hole is opened in the ground that damages the entire forest.
Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
The bromeliad grows on the branches of trees in the Amazon, adapting to living without soil. It gets its water directly from the rain thanks to its vase-shaped leaves. This natural container also provides shelter for insects, frogs and other small animals. It flowers only once in its lifetime, creating a fleeting moment of magic that reflects its subtle psyche like an organic metonymy. Around a third of the plant's 2,700 subspecies are in danger of extinction. By embarking on the Iberostar Heritage Grand Amazon, a hotel cruise on the Amazon River, you can better understand how this fascinating habitat works and the extent to which the different species of the Amazon rainforest support each other.
Jade green flower or turquoise jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)
The jade green flower or turquoise jade vine belongs to the legume family. Native to the forests of the Philippines, this vine cascades down in cascades to create roofs of greenery. Perhaps because of its colour, the colour of abundance, it is associated with wealth and good luck. It is one of the few flowers with green or blue-green petals. These cover a fleshy pod which can contain up to 12 seeds inside. Factors such as deforestation are a threat to its survival.
Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
We end this botanical tour around the world with one of the most eccentric endangered plants on record, the Venus flytrap, a carnivorous flower native to the swampy areas of the southern United States. It feeds on live prey, especially arachnids and insects. I'm sure you've seen it in some horror movies, such as the 1980s classic Little Shop of Horrors. Unfortunately, the magnetism it exerts on some people has subjected the venus flytrap to illegal trafficking for years. This, in turn, has led to it often being cultivated in nurseries to meet ornamental demand.
