Angraecum coutrixii

The Itremo Massif is mainly grasslands, with less than 2% of Tapia (Uapaca bojeri) forest remaining (Alvarado et al. 2014). Tapia forests have reduced in size by approximately 43% since the 1970's and are mainly threatened by firewood collection, charcoal production, grazing and fire (Moat and Smith 2007). Itremo faces many human pressures, from cattle grazing, fires to stimulate new pasture growth and quartzite stone collection from local people (Alvarado et al. 2014). Competition from invasive exotic species, for example, Eucalyptus robusta and Khasia pine (Pinus kesiya) are also threats to native vegetation at Itremo (Alvarado et al. 2014). Fire management at Itremo needs to be carefully controlled as frequent grassland fires can progressively destroy plant growth of herbaceous species (L. Rajaovelona pers. obs. 2016). Fire was listed as the main threat to this species in the Madagascar Red List (GSPM 2011).

Lack of pollinators and absence of seed germination are also two potential risks for this species. Research on this species fungal mycorrhizae to improve seed germination and seedling establishment is ongoing in Itremo (Viswambharan 2014, Yokoya et al. 2015). Plant collecting for international trade may also cause a decline of the population size of this species.

The Itremo Massif was established as a protected area by the Madagascan government in 2015 (S. Cable pers. comm. 2016). The protected area is actively managed by the Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre, part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew alongside local non government organisations and community groups. There are two ex situ collections held at botanic gardens (BGCI 2016), but further ex situ conservation including seed banking is recommended. This species is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES 2016). This species was rated as Critically Endangered B2 in the Madagascar Red List (GSPM 2011). Research on this species fungal mycorrhizae to improve seed germination and seedling establishment is ongoing in Itremo (Viswambharan 2014).