Sterculia xolocotzii

Botanical Description

Sterculia xolocotzii is a semi-deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 metres tall; the bole is up to 90cm in diameter with large, well-developed buttresses 300cm or more high[ 2061 Title Stercularia xolocotzii (Sterculaceae), a new species of rain forest canopy tree from the Isthmus Tehuantepac, Mexico Publication Lundellia 2:128-135. 1999. Author Wendt T. & Taylor E.L. Publisher Year 1999 ISBN Description ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood. Sterculia xolocotzii is restricted to the Uxpanapa region of southern Mexico. Particularly in the last few decades, this region has undergone deforestation that has changed the landscape dramatically. Expansion of the agriculture frontier, cattle ranching, and wood extraction have reduced the plant's range and quality of habitat, as well as caused direct mortality. The population size of Sterculia xolocotzii appears to be small, and is estimated at less than 250 mature individuals. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].