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Tylecodon pygmaeus

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Crassulaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This taxon is sensitive as it has a small population size and is not known to be threatened by illegal collection of wild individuals but there is evidence that this genus is being targeted and exploited for horticultural trade with individuals from several species being illegally removed. Were exploitation to take place, recruitment and recovery may be poor due to its restricted range. Releasing data on this species can exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is threatened by widespread, unregulated, unsustainable exploitation of wild populations. 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 of Least Concern as it is range restricted but locally common and not thought to be significantly threatened (Helme et al. 2015). This genus is currently 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 are known to be utilized and this species was among those targeted and/or confiscated from illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2020-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanic Garden, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment). This species is difficult to cultivate and so wild individuals may be desirable to succulent collectors (Helme et al. 2015). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that this species is vulnerable over-exploitation and removal from the wild (Helme, N, personal communication 2022, 25 January).

Helme, N.A., le Roux, A., von Staden, L. & Mogale, M.M.P. 2015. Tylecodon pygmaeus (W.F.Barker) Toelken. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Population vulnerability
Population is not vulnerable: size is > 2500 mature individuals, AND the number of known subpopulations is > 5 AND range > 100km2
Justification and references

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 534 km² (Helme et al. 2015). It is localized, rare and has a population size thought to consist of less than 5000 mature individuals (Helme. N, personal communication 2022, 25 January).

Helme, N.A., le Roux, A., von Staden, L. & Mogale, M.M.P. 2015. Tylecodon pygmaeus (W.F.Barker) Toelken. 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

Whole individuals are recorded in confiscations.

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 taxon is localized, rare, slow growing and vulnerable to collection (Helme, N, personal communication 2022, 25 January).

Reference file
Tylecodon pygmaeus Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf755.9 KB
tylecodon _ eBay.pdf898.51 KB
Tylecodon Aucfan.pdf1.17 MB