Spatial Distribution of Cattleya granulosa Lindl.: an Endangered Orchid Species

Cattleya granulosa is an endemic and endangered orchid species of the coastal region of northeastern Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of spatial aggregation in a preserved population, in an area of 4.225 m2 of the conservation unit of ‘Parque das Dunas’ Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. We evaluated the life form of the population as well as its neighborhood density factor (NDF) to determine the spatial distribution in distance classes, using the SpPack software program. Regarding the life form, 73% of the plants (N = 136) were epiphyte and 27% were terrestrial (N = 50). The epiphytes present specificity with a single host tree, Eugenia spp. (Myrtaceae). The spatial pattern of Cattleya granulosa is aggregated, with the highest density of neighbors (NDF) within a radius of 5 m. These data suggest restricted dispersion with direct influence on actions for conservation of the species.