10/29/2026
Dracula ubangina (Critically Endangered).
Endemic to Ecuador’s Pichincha Province in the northern western Andes, this orchid has only 1–2 known subpopulations.
Primary threats are habitat loss from agriculture and mining, along with poaching.
Though a pollinator has yet to be confirmed for this species, it's extinction could disrupt local ecological interactions.
The total number of clones in cultivation are unknown. So, we do not know how many genetically distinct clones there are if this species does go extinct in the wild.
Even if D. ubangina stays stable in cultivation, there will be limited gene pools to use when pollinating. Genetic diversity is crucial for improving resistance to pathogens, pests, and coping with environmental stressors.
