Cleistes ionoglossa

Threats to terrestrial orchids are numerous within the range. However, collections of this species on roadsides, recently burned areas and scrubs suggest a good ability to regenerate and persist in disturbed and secondary vegetation. Although occasional in frequency, this orchid produces seeds most years, has a very low habitat specificity and good colonization abilities and is given a coefficient of vulnerability of 5 on a scale of 1 to 6, where 5 means that the taxon has good survival and dispersal and probably a pioneer status and is not directly threaten in case of habitat disturbance (Miller and Warren 1996).

Orchids are often the prey of unscrupulous collectors. Collecting orchids from natural sources is still very common in Brazil in spite of prohibitions of international commerce of species collected in the wild (Saddi et al. 2005).

This species has been collected within several conservation units (e.g., Flora da Reserva Biológica do Alto da Serra de Paranapiacaba, Itatiaia National Park, the environmental conservation area of Macae de Cima). The taxon is grown in various botanical institutions and as an ornamental by orchids enthusiasts. It is currently listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). As with all orchids, the taxon should not be removed from the wild. The population should be monitored at regular intervals.