Following extensive work on the genus Schefflera, Lowry and Plunket (2020) reinstated Heptapleurum and synonymized all 317 species of the Asian clade of Schefflera. Prior to this, H. rigidum was part of a much wider species concept (Schefflera rigida) which occurred across much of Indonesia. Some sources (GBIF 2023) have not yet updated their backbone taxonomy in line with Lowry and Plunket (2020). Within this work we follow the taxonomy of Lowry and Plunket (2020), with the view that H. rigidum is restricted to Java. 

Heptapleurum rigidum is a large shrub to small tree endemic to Java, occurring in primary and secondary montane rainforest at elevations of c. 1,000–2,700 m asl. It is widespread across Java with numerous known localities, an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of c. 21,646 km², exceeding the threshold for threatened categories under criterion B, an estimated area of occupancy of 88 km² and at least 17 threat-defined locations. Java underwent extensive deforestation through the 19^th and 20^th centuries. It is estimated that at least 40% of montane forest was lost during this period, with remaining habitat being isolated and fragmented across the protected area network and other inaccessible areas. The current population size and trend is unknown. It is unknown if the population is severely fragmented or subject to extreme fluctuations. Due to the lack of population or life history data it is not possible to accurately access the impact of historic habitat decline on this species' population size. Further research to identify the current population size, trend, and how this species was affected by past habitat loss is recommended. While there are modest levels of habitat loss ongoing across its range, this species has been recorded from secondary habitats and current rates of habitat loss are not considered likely to affect the extinction risk of this species within a short time. Pending further research, it is assessed as Least Concern.

Heptapleurum rigidum is endemic to Java, western Indonesia (Lowry II and Plunket 2020), occurring at elevations of c. 1,000–2,700 m asl. It has an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of c. 21,646 km² and a known area of occupancy (AOO) of 88 km². The species is well recorded throughout its range and the number of locations exceeds the thresholds for threatened categories under criterion B.

Java underwent extensive deforestation during the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, with montane forest, this species' primary habitat, estimated to have decreased by c. 43% (Smiet 1990), with remaining montane forest fragmented and generally restricted to protected or inaccessible areas (Higginbottom et al. 2019). This extensive deforestation would likely have affected the population size. However, the lack of numerical population data or generation length estimates means it is not possible to assess if this happened within a timespan of relevance to its extinction risk. Additionally, the lack of data means it is not possible to assess if this species qualifies as severely fragmented. The current population trend is unknown. Further research is required to identify the current population size and trend.

Heptapleurum rigidum is a large shrub to small tree, growing to 4–6 m tall (Meijer # L0927998 (L)). Many species of Heptapleurum have hemiepiphytic life histories (Zotz et al. 2021), and this species has been described as a climber growing up to 10 m (Nurta #82 (K)). However further research is required to confirm a hemiepiphytic life history. It is associated with primary and secondary montane rainforest, often occurring in glades and open areas (Hartoyo et al. 2022).

Java underwent extensive deforestation and habitat loss through the 19^th and 20^th centuries, with an estimated 43% of montane forest lost by the 1980's (Smiet 1990). Estimations of forest loss between 1980 and 2000 are hampered by a lack of island-wide studies, however, one study, focused on the central highlands of West Java, estimated that since 1990 there has been a further 40% loss in forest, predominantly within the 300–1,800 m asl range (Higginbottom et al. 2019). Remaining montane forest is generally restricted to the protected area network or inaccessible areas, which has likely contributed to an overall decline in deforestation rates between 1990–2015, especially within these protected areas (Higginbottom et al. 2019). However, across its range, rates of deforestation are low, with an estimated c. 2% loss of total tree cover since 2000 (Global Forest Watch 2023). This is predominantly seen on the edge of forest mountain blocks, protected areas and in non-protected areas within the species' range (Higginbottom et al. 2019, Global Forest Watch 2023). Causes of deforestation across Java are varied, but major drivers include small scale agriculture and logging (Austin et al. 2019) and these threaten the species outside of protected areas. This species has been recorded from secondary forest and it is unclear if current low rates of deforestation are likely to significantly affect the extinction risk of this species. Further research on its ability to persist in degraded habitats is required.

This species is not known to be utilized.

The species is known to occurs in four protected areas. Additionally, a large proportion of its range has been listed under Indonesia's Forest Moratorium (Global Forest Watch 2023, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023). While no specific conservation measures are known to be in place, passive protection is assumed in these areas. Several nucleotide sequences are held on on Genbank (National Center for Biotechnology Information 2023), and living material is held in ex situ collections (I. Robiansyah pers. comm. 2023). The collection of seeds for storage in an ex situ conservation collection is recommended.