Q: Philcoxia range and conservation status

A: The four species grow in different parts of Brazil, in the campos rupestre or cerrado.

Philcoxia bahiensis: Found near Piatã, Bahia, in the Serra do Atalho, in deep sand in campos rupestre areas. This plant has been seen growing in extensive, nearly monospecific stands on diamond mine-related sand piles.

Philcoxia goiasensis: Known only from the type location in Goiás, in deep sand in cerrado. Not seen since it was collected in 1966.

Philcoxia minensis: Found in the Serra do Cabral, Minas Gerais, both in areas modified by mining and in intact white-sand deposits.

Philcoxia tuberosa: Found on the northern slopes of the Chapada Diamantina mountain range, on white-sand dunes, in Bahia.

Very little is known about the true extent of these species. However, the general suspicion is that all species occur over very small ranges, and as such are potentially at extreme risk. Philcoxia bahiensis no longer occurs at its type location, due to a variety of human-caused changes (especially plantations and grazing). Sand mining and road construction is also cause for concern. On the other hand, plants have been observed invading post-mining areas, so it may have some ruderal characteristics that could benefit it, even in anthropogenically modified habitats.

I am quite fascinated that there the species are so isolated from each other. So often carnivorous plants grow together...

Page citations: Carvalho, M.L.S. & Queiroz, L.P. 2014; Fritsch, P.W., et al. 2007; Pereira, C.G. and Oliveira, R.S. 2010; Taylor, P., et al. 2000.