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Brunsvigia josephinae

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is threatened with harvesting of wild individuals for medicinal purposes. Others of the genus have been recorded from illegal plant collection. This species and genus are increasing in demand and of popular interest in local and international horticultural trade. A small population size with existing threat causing population decline 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 species is Vulnerable as it is experiencing ongoing population decline due to habitat loss and harvesting of wild individuals for medicinal purposes (Snijman & Raimondo, 2007). This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. There have been recorded confiscations of Brunsvigia species from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2019-2021) provided by Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk.

Snijman, D.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Brunsvigia josephinae (Redouté) Ker Gawl. 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 has 18 known subpopulations of 50 individuals making the estimated population size less than 1000 mature individuals whereby it is experiencing ongoing decline (Snijman & Raimondo, 2007).

Snijman, D.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Brunsvigia josephinae (Redouté) Ker Gawl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

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

Individuals are being harvested (Snijman & Raimondo, 2007).

Snijman, D.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Brunsvigia josephinae (Redouté) Ker Gawl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

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

This bulb is long-lived, has lost one third of its habitat and occurs as widely scattered subpopulations which lowers its chances of recovery if exploitation continues (Snijman & Raimondo, 2007).

Snijman, D.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Brunsvigia josephinae (Redouté) Ker Gawl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Reference file
Brunsvigia josephinae Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf770.83 KB
brunsvigia _ eBay.pdf1.33 MB
Brunsvigia search results.pdf711.97 KB