Benthamia africana, a terrestrial common and variable orchid, is native to Madagascar and Mascarenes (both in Mauritius and Réunion). It grows in humid and subhumid forests, on marshes, open places, woodland margins, shaded wet rocks, and on crust as well, between 250 and 1,557 m elevation.

The species is known from 35 collections made between 1880 (Hildebrandt 3975) and 2019 (Razakamalala 8669). Two collections (Legary 18389, Néraud 8) with imprecise locality were not taken into account for this assessment. The 33 collections represent 27 occurrences. Thirteen collections (nine Ambatovy Spirit Collections; Stévart 4115; Rakotovao 1930; Razanatsoa 359, 579) representing seven occurrences have been collected within the footprint of a mining project that has undergone and is undergoing intense human pressure from forest clearing, and should now be considered as extirpated. Four collections (Hildebrandt 3729 and 3975; Humbert 2835; Scott Elliot 2096) represent four occurrences are facing habitat destruction due to wildfires and wood harvesting for subsistence, and should be considered as extirpated. Other four collections (Decary 18172, 18240, 18385; Viguier 727) representing four occurrences are facing forest clearing due to shifting agriculture, and forest degradation due to small scale agriculture, along with wood harvesting for subsistence use, and should be also considered as extirpated. In Madagascar, four collections representing four occurrences have been recorded within four protected areas. Two collections (Pettersson 11, Razakamalala 8669) representing two occurrences have been recorded from unprotected forests and they are facing forest degradation due to wildfires, small scale logging and wood harvesting for subsistence, slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy), and land conversion for small scale agriculture. The 27 occurrences of the species represent 12 existing and 15 extirpated occurrences .

The extent of occurrence (EOO) of the species is estimated at 491,106 km², largely exceeding the upper threshold for Vulnerable status under criterion B1 whereas its minimal area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated to be 48 km², falling within the limits for Endangered status under criterion B2. The 12 existing occurrences represent a total of 12 locations (sensu IUCN 2022) with respect to the most serious plausible threat, forest clearing due to mining activities. We inferred that this situation leads or will lead to a continuing decline in the EOO, the AOO, the habitat quality, the number of subpopulations and number of mature individuals of the species. Fifteen occurrences of the species are considered as extirpated due to the threats of a mining project and habitat degradation due to wildfires, shifting agriculture, and wood harvesting for subsistence (46% of the total), based on a reduction of the AOO, which lead to consider the species under a threatened category according to criterion A. Therefore, B. africana is assessed under criterion A as Vulnerable; VU A4c.

Benthamia africana is a widespread and variable species, native to Madagascar and the Mascarenes. In Madagascar, the species occurs in nine regions: Alaotra Mangoro (Anosibe, Lakato, Moramanga) and Atsinanana (Ambatovola, Mahavelona) in the formerly recognized Province of Toamasina; Analamanga (Andrangoloaka) and Vakinankaratra in the formerly recognized Province of Antananarivo; Atsimo-Andrefana (Sakamarekely) in the formerly recognized Province of Toliara; Diana (Manongarivo) and SAVA (Marojejy) in the formerly recognized Province of Antsiranana; Matsiatra Ambony (Ankafina) and Vatovavy (Ranomafana) in the formerly recognized Province of Fianarantsoa; and Sofia (Ambatomitsondrona) in the formerly recognized Province of Mahajanga (Madagascar Catalogue 2022). It is also found on the Mascarenes: in Mauritius (Les Mares, Petrin Nature Reserve), and in Réunion (Bébour, Grand Brülé, Piton Mare à Boue, Plaine des Palmistes).

The population of Benthamia africana is currently thought to be decreasing since its habitat is threatened by forest degradation due to selective logging, wood collection for small-scale subsistence use and slash-and-burn agricultural practices (tavy), and by forest destruction due to mining activities. The number of mature individuals of the species is not known and cannot be estimated. There is no quantitative information on population sizes or trends of the species, but it is reported to be abundant in the field (Stévart 4115).

Benthamia africana is a common terrestrial orchid occurring in humid and subhumid forests, sometimes on moss covered, growing on marshes, open places, woodland margins, shaded wet rocks, and on crust as well, at low and mid elevation. It is reported to be locally abundant (Stévart 4115).

This species experiences a continuing decline in EOO, AOO, habitat quality, number of subpopulations and number of mature individuals due to mining activities, wildfires, wood harvesting, land conversion for small-scale agriculture for subsistence and slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy).

There are no reported uses for the species, but it may be sought after by specialist collectors.

In Madagascar, four collections (four occurrences) have been made in four protected areas, the Manongarivo Special Reserve (one occurrence), the Marojejy National Park (one occurrence), the Ranomafana National Park (one occurrence), and the Torotorofotsy Protected Area (one occurrence). The species is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It has been brought to cultivation at the Ambatovy shade houses. Seeds banking must be developed for the species. Further awareness building is recommended for local communities and national authorities.