Cryptopus paniculatus

The species experiences continuing decline because of habitat destruction due to forest exploitation, annual fire, mining and shifting cultivation. A subpopulation of this species has been recorded on the footprint of the Ambatovy mining project undergoing intense human pressure such as forests clearing. This former subpopulation will disappear and must be considered as extirpated. The species was collected from 3 subpopulations in the conservation zone surrounding the footprint, and this forest should be subjected to protection in the near future. It is also known from 3 subpopulations occurring in several unprotected forests subjected to selective logging, timber harvesting for small-scale subsistence and tavy (slash-and-burn farming). One of which, located in the forest south of Moramanga (type specimen, Decary 7171 and Bosser 21113) is considered as extirpated, as no or little forests remains in this area.

The species has been collected in a protected area, the Ankeniheny-Zahamena Corridor. The species is currently cultivated in two shadehouses in Ambatovy and in one shadehouse in Ambalabe. It is included in Appendix II of CITES.