Bowiea volubilis subsp. volubilis | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Hyacinthaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This subspecies is severely threatened with harvesting for traditional medicinal markets. A declining population size with existing threat makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is extremely rare in the wild and is known to be exploited, utilised or traded. The localities of remaining populations need to be protected to avoid any further exploitation, which is likely to drive it to extinction.

Exploitation extent

Significant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, and utilisation is widespread, affects the majority of wild populations and/or is causing rapid decline of the wild population.

Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this subspecies is Vulnerable as it is severely threatened with harvesting for traditional medicinal markets (Raimondo et al. 2007). Varying sizes of bulbs have been been seen at traditional medicinal markets and have been rated as a sought after taxa that has become scarce from over-utilization (Bircher et al. 1998).

Bircher, C., Prentice, C., Crouch, N. and Symmonds, R. 1998. Conservation concerns for Bowiea volubilis, an unusually succulent member of the Hyacinthaceae. Herbertia 53:81-89.

Raimondo, D., Victor, J.E., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Dold, A.P., Pfab, M.F. & Burrows, J.E. 2007. Bowiea volubilis Harv. ex Hook.f. subsp. volubilis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Population vulnerability

Population is vulnerable: size is <= 2500 mature individuals OR the number of known subpopulations is <= 5 OR range is <= 100km² OR species at risk of localised extinctions

Justification and references

This taxon's population has largely declined across the majority of its range (Raimondo et al. 2007).

Targeted demographics

Mature (breeding) individuals are killed, significantly weakened or are permanently removed from the wild, OR immature individuals are targeted and this significantly impacts mature (breeding) individuals.

Justification and references

Bulbs have been recorded at trade markets (Raimondo et al. 2007).

Regeneration potential

This species has a slow population growth rate, or the growth rate varies depending on habitat, and there is a poor chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation OR a collector might feasibly harvest the entire extant population removing the chance of subsequent recruitment.

Justification and references

Ongoing population decline via over-utilization and fragmented subpopulations makes this taxon's chances of recovery poor.

Reference file

Bowiea volubilis volubilis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf658.22 KB