Pigeon Beak
© Klaus Nickel
Species of the Day: Pigeon Beak
Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org www.arkive.org Help Save Species
Pigeon Beak, Lotus maculatus, is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the Red List of Spanish Vascular Flora. It is exclusively known from one site on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). It is a creeping plant with beautiful and abundant yellow-red flowers, which has been used as a carpet plant for gardens. Recent field studies have confirmed the extinction of the species in a previously known area, so now only 10 individuals remain on the northern coast of Tenerife. The main threats to this species are related to human activities such as development, tourism, the collection of wild plants and the presence of herbivores. A lack of pollinators may also pose a potential threat to the Pigeon Beak. Fortunately, the species is covered by legislation in Spain at both the regional and national level, as well as by the Bern Convention. It is also included in a recovery plan; some reintroductions have been made in several locations on the island, and seeds have been stored in gene banks.
Species of the Day is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.
Species of the Day: Pigeon Beak
Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org www.arkive.org Help Save Species
Pigeon Beak, Lotus maculatus, is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the Red List of Spanish Vascular Flora. It is exclusively known from one site on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). It is a creeping plant with beautiful and abundant yellow-red flowers, which has been used as a carpet plant for gardens. Recent field studies have confirmed the extinction of the species in a previously known area, so now only 10 individuals remain on the northern coast of Tenerife. The main threats to this species are related to human activities such as development, tourism, the collection of wild plants and the presence of herbivores. A lack of pollinators may also pose a potential threat to the Pigeon Beak. Fortunately, the species is covered by legislation in Spain at both the regional and national level, as well as by the Bern Convention. It is also included in a recovery plan; some reintroductions have been made in several locations on the island, and seeds have been stored in gene banks.
Species of the Day is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.
