List of plants that are extinct in the wild facts for kids

As of December 2023, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 45 plant species that are extinct in the wild. This means these plants no longer grow naturally in their original homes. They only exist in places like botanical gardens or special plant collections. About 0.068% of all plants studied by the IUCN are in this sad situation. The IUCN also lists one plant subspecies as extinct in the wild.

All the plants on this list are vascular plants, which means they have special tissues to carry water and nutrients, just like most plants you see.

Ferns: Class Polypodiopsida

Only one type of fern is listed as Extinct in the Wild. Ferns are ancient plants that reproduce using spores instead of seeds.

• Diplazium laffanianum, also known as Governor Laffan's fern, is the only fern on this list.

Cycads: Class Cycadopsida

There are 5 species of cycads listed as Extinct in the Wild. Cycads are very old plants, sometimes called "living fossils," that look a bit like palms or ferns.

Encephalartos woodii is known only from a single plant found in 1895. All living Encephalartos woodii today came from this one plant!

Flowering Plants: Class Magnoliopsida

This group has the most plants listed as Extinct in the Wild, with 32 species and 1 subspecies. Flowering plants are the most diverse group of plants on Earth.

All seven types of Brugmansia are now extinct in the wild. However, they are very popular garden plants grown all over the world.

Cyanea superba used to grow on the island of O'ahu, Hawaii. It became extinct in the wild because of new plants taking over its space and wildfires caused by people.

Kokia cookei likely became extinct in the wild because the birds that helped pollinate it also disappeared. This is called coextinction.

Flowering Plants: Class Liliopsida

There are 7 species of Liliopsida listed as Extinct in the Wild. This group includes plants like grasses, lilies, and orchids.

See also

• List of extinct in the wild animals
• List of least concern plants
• List of near threatened plants
• List of vulnerable plants
• List of endangered plants
• List of critically endangered plants
• List of recently extinct plants
• List of data deficient plants