Babiana mucronata subsp. minor | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Juan Swanepoel

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Iridaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

There have been recorded confiscations of species of the Babiana genus from illegal collection. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known locations of occurrence with existing threats causing population decline makes this taxon vulnerable to population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this taxon could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is either similar to or belongs to a group containing sensitive species, and is extremely rare in the wild. The localities of wild populations need to be protected to avoid loss to exploitation, which, due to its rarity, could drive the species to extinction within a very short time.

Exploitation extent

Uncertain - No data exists yet showing that this species is exploited in the wild, however it has one or more relatives or look-alike species (found in South Africa or globally) that are known to be utilised. This species has a similar life form or other relevant traits to its exploited relative(s), making it highly likely that it would be exploited for the same purposes.

Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment this species is Endangered (Goldblatt and Raimondo, 2006). This sub-species has a local demand while the genus is increasing in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. There have been recorded confiscations of Babiana spp. from illegal collections (2021, confiscation data provided by Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk from the wild.

Goldblatt, P. and Raimondo, D. 2006. Babiana mucronata (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. subsp. minor (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt and J.C.Manning. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/23

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 sub-species is known from five locations which is prime habitat for rooibos cultivation. The population has a decreasing trend as a result of rooibos cultivation resulting in habitat loss and degradation (Goldblatt and Raimondo, 2006).

Targeted demographics

Unknown.

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

The population growth rate is unknown. Population size is likely to be limited by suitable habitat. Should exploitation occur, even if only cuttings or leaves are collected, compounded with ongoing expansion of rooibos cultivation which has been identified as a threat (Goldblatt and Raimondo, 2006), the chance of populations recovering may be a poor.