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Paraguay is a small country but with a great variety of landscapes that are reflected in 7 ecoregions: Dry Chaco, Humid Chaco, Pantanal, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Mesopotamian Grasslands and Central Paraguay. Each of these ecoregions presents a unique diversity of plant species, but, sadly, many of them are at risk of extinction due to the threats posed by overexploitation, habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, among other problems.
What are the plant species that are in danger of extinction in Paraguay? In this Green Ecologist article we will answer this question as we will mention more than 80 plants in danger of extinction in Paraguay. We invite you to continue reading.
Peroba
The perobá or rosewood, whose scientific name is Aspidosperma polyneuron, It's one of the native trees of Paraguay. It is typical of the Atlantic Forest ecoregion in the east of the country and is characterized by having a pinkish wood and reaching a height greater than 40 meters.
Through the years it has been exploited for the attractiveness of its woods for construction. Excessive exploitation led to it being in danger of extinction today.
Pine paraná
The pine paranáAraucaria angustifolia)Like the Perobá, it is characteristic of the Paraguayan Atlantic Forest ecoregion. It is a very long-lived species, its life span is between the 200 to 300 years, therefore they are slow growing. Due to the indiscriminate logging carried out during the last century, today the pine populations paraná are in danger of extinction.
Palmito or jeruti
As its name suggests, the palm heartEuterpe edulis) It is the palm tree from which the palm heart is extracted. Like the other specimens mentioned, it belongs to the Atlantic Forest ecoregion. Unfortunately, the massive deforestation and the excessive felling of its specimens to obtain palm hearts, have determined that the species is today in danger of extinction.
Tajy hu or lapacho
His vulgar name, tajy hu comes from the guaraní. This species (Tabebuia heptaphylla), along with other species of lapacho, were declared as "national tree of Paraguay". Massive deforestation is the main threat to the species. However, according to the Red Lists of the Union for Conservation of Nature, it is not classified as endangered. However, measures are required to curb its threats. precisely, to prevent the species from becoming extinct.
tuna
The tuna (Paraguayan Gymnocalycium) It is a typical cactus of the dry Chaco ecoregion, northwest of Paraguay. Their populations are vulnerable to extinction due to the loss of habitat and also due to being extracted from ecosystems to later be commercialized as ornamental plants.
Image: Mountain crest gardens
Cedar or ygary
The scientific name for cedar is Cedrela fissilis. This species has a reddish wood with characteristics conducive to construction. Their exploitation has led to cedar populations are in danger of extinction. In Paraguay, this species is very important for Tobatí artisans.
Ybyra piriri guasu
The ybyra piriri guasuAmburana cearensis) is a endangered specie Due, firstly, to the loss of habitat and, secondly, because of the interest that its wood causes to make furniture, joinery and construction. This tree, in particular, is characterized by having an orange-brown bark and reaching heights of 35 meters.
Image: Appverde
Guatambu or yvyra ñeti
The guatambúBalfourodendron riedelianum) It is a native tree of the Chaco ecoregion. In Paraguay, this species is economically important as it has suitable characteristics for carpentry. Its wood is whitish in color and has unfortunately been very overexploited causing, then, that the species is in danger of extinction.
Image: Boldsystems
Palo santo or yvyra okai
The Lignum vitae, ibiocaí or vera (Bulnesia sarmientoi) It is a characteristic tree of the Paraguayan Chaco. Its wood has wide uses, from extraction of essential oils to perfumes and repellants and also for construction. In addition, this tree has a very important role within the culture of native peoples. Nowadays this species is in danger of extinction due to overexploitation of their copies.
Image: Cites.org
Other plants in danger of extinction in Paraguay
Next we will list more plant species native to Paraguay that are in danger of extinction.
- Urende`y picha`i (Astronium balansae)
- Peltastes stemmadeniiflorus
- Rhodocalyx rotundifolius
- Quina de monte (Rauvolfia sellowii)
- Attalea guaranitica
- Bactris glaucescens
- Butia compicola
- Butia campylospatha
- Butia exertispadix
- Butia marmorii
- Trithrinax brasiliensis
- Baccharis isabelae
- Ka`a he`e (Stevia rebaudiana)
- Begonia halansea
- Begonia fiebrigii
- Begonia obovatistipulata
- Begonia subvillosa var. lectotrichia
- Tajy say`ju (Tabebuia pulcherrima)
- Zeyheria tuberculosa
- Peterivy (Cordia trichotoma)
- Fosterella rojasii
- Carnation of the air (Tillandsia aeranthos; Tillandsia arhiza; Tillandsia duratii var. confused; Tillandsia esseriana)
- Cactus or prickly pear (Discocactus heptacanthus subsp. magnimamus)
- Tuna pe (Frailea cataphracta)
- Cactus or prickly pear (Gymnocalycium euryplerum; Gymnocalycium paediophilum)
- Cactus or prickly pear (Nigrispine parody)
- Yvy`a (Jacaratia corumbensis)
- Cangorosa (Maytenus ilicifolia)
- Chachi (Alsophila cuspidata)
- Chachi (Trichipteris atrovirens)
- Chachi (Cyathea delgadii)
- Horse tail (Equisetum giganteum)
- Timbo white (Ateleia glazioveana)
- Parrot pysa (Dimorphandra mollis)
- Barnebian mimosa
- Yvyra pageMyrocarpus peruiferum)
- Red incense (Myroxylon peruiferum)
- Ynambu jety (Sinningia amambayensis)
- Arary (Calophyllum brasiliense)
- Ka`avo tory (Hypericum connatum)
- Rhibardo from Paraguay (Trimezia martii)
- Ka`i kay gua (Cariniana estrellalensis)
- Sarsaparilla (Herreria montevidensis)
- Cedar (Cedrela angustifolia)
- Myrcia gemniflora
- Catuaba (Psidium cinereum)
- Orchid (Chive oncidium; Oncidium jonesianum)
- Orchid (Phymatidium delicatulum)
- Orchid (Sophronitis cernua)
- Chachi poty (Zygopetalum maxillare)
- Jatevu ka`a (Peperomia cyclophylla; Peperomia rotundifolia; Peperomia tetraphylla)
- Jaguarundi (Piper regnellii)
- Potamogeton striatus
- Doradilla (Rufous hemionitis)
- Prunus douglasii
- Prunus ravenii
- Quillay (Quillaja brasiliensis)
- Simira sampaioana
- Escobedia grandiflora
- Pire`ro (Picrasma crenata)
- Ky`yi (Capsicum flexuosum)
- Piriquete subsessilis
- Piriqueta ochroleuca
- Turnera grandidentata
- Turnera aurelli
Now that you have discovered more than 80 endangered plant species in Paraguay, you may also want to meet 34 endangered animals in Paraguay.
If you want to read more articles similar to Plants in danger of extinction in Paraguay, we recommend that you enter our Biology category.
Bibliography- Red Lists of the Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Website: https://www.iucnredlist.org/
