Pelliciera rhizophorae is a neotropical mangrove tree species, with a distribution ranging from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to Ecuador and on the Caribbean coast from Southeast Honduras to Panama. Genetic evidence suggests that minimal gene flow occurs among subpopulations, and they are severely fragmented as they are mostly found in small and isolated stands that are highly threatened. The area of occupancy (AOO) is 816 km², below the upper threshold for Vulnerable status under criterion B2. Most of the areas in which it lives are prone to mangrove destruction and degradation. This is mainly due to residential and commercial development from the expansion of industrial, tourism and recreation areas, building of transportation and service corridors (roads and ports), selective logging, climate change and severe weather (sea level rise). The species experiences continuous population decrease, as there is evidence of habitat loss in areas where this species has been recorded. The species has some records within protected areas. The species is considered Vulnerable.

Pelliciera rhizophorae is a neotropical mangrove tree species, with a limited and patchy distribution ranging from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to Ecuador and on the Caribbean coast from Southeast Honduras to Panama (Nelson Sutherland and Pérez 2018, Duke 2020).

Pelliciera rhizophorae has a distribution ranging from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to Ecuador, and on the Caribbean coast from southeast Honduras to Panama. The subpopulations of Pelliciera rhizophorae are highly differentiated (Castillo-Cardenas et al. 2005). However, genetic evidence suggests that minimal gene flow occurs among these subpopulations (Castillo-Cárdenas and Toro-Perea 2012, Castillo-Cárdenas et al. 2014). Recently, Pelliciera benthamii was segregated from Pelliciera rhizophorae, leading to a reduced distribution.

Pelliciera rhizophorae is found in closed canopy stands at low to mid-intertidal positions of down-stream to intermediate estuarine localities within larger fresh-water dominated estuaries (Duke 2020). They have a low tolerance to high salinity levels (above 37 ppt), and propagules grow better under shady conditions (Dangremond et al. 2015). Their subpopulations are generally small, usually found within strands of Rhizophora mangle and sometimes Laguncularia racemosa. Pelliciera rhizophorae is a tree that can reach 12 to 18 m in height. It flowers from April to June and fruits from November to December. It has been recorded that the flowers are visited by bats, hummingbirds, and moths (Duke 2020). Also, ants visit the extra-floral nectaries at the base of the leaves (Tomlinson 1986). It has a close association with Amazilia boucardi, a mangrove hummingbird listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List (BirdLife International 2020). Pelliciera rhizophorae produces a small number of large propagules each year that have a weak hydrochory dispersal ability (Dangremond et al. 2015).

Mangroves worldwide are highly threatened ecosystems (Goldberg et al. 2020). According to Polidoro et al. (2010) the Atlantic and Pacific coast of Central America are areas of geographical concern, and if proper management is not done, mangrove loss will still be constant in the near future (Polidoro et al. 2010). Threats to Pelliciera rhizophorae are the same as threats to mangrove ecosystems, such as:

• Urbanization, the need for commercial and industrial zones, and tourism have decreased the area of mangroves or limited them to the periphery of cities (Blanco et al. 2012). Rapid urban expansion is also related to the construction of roads that can disrupt the proper flow of water to the mangroves, altering its salinity levels and thus disrupting special adaptive strategies of mangrove plants (Villate Daza et al. 2020).
• Tourism has caused local inhabitants to cut mangroves, transforming the space into beaches, and using the wood as construction material (Bolívar-Anillo et al. 2020).
• Agricultural and aquacultural practices can produce fertilizer, insecticide, and pesticide runoff, which alter the chemical balance of the mangroves. Additionally, some mangrove areas are threatened by the expansion of the aquaculture sector.
• Ecosystem modification in mangroves can occur due to the effects of solid and waste pollution and the manipulation of the hydrological resources that supply them.
• Rising sea levels place mangroves at elevated risk, as they cannot re-establish when the tide is higher than their toleration levels. These are also connected to hurricane incidents, which transform the forest canopy and can alter the flow of water from the mainland (Bolívar-Anillo et al. 2020). Another modification of the ecosystem may occur when hydro-climatic events such as "El Niño" or "La Niña" hit the region harder. The main threat for this species is habitat degradation and fragmentation, as Pelliciera rhizophorae can only live in very specific conditions, and therefore, small modifications to its habitat can have serious consequences.

The species is used as sustenance for local inhabitants, as firewood or construction material. There are no reports of commercialization.

Pelliciera rhizophorae has been part of conservation efforts in Colombia, there are guidelines explaining propagation methods that helps local communities to be part of the restoration process (Tavera et al. 2014).