Brunsvigia litoralis | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Juan Swanepoel

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

There have been recorded confiscations of Babiana spp. from illegal collections. This species and genus are increasing in demand and of popular interest in local and international horticultural trade. A declining population size with existing threat causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

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 Critically Endangered (Snijman et al. 2007). This species and genus are increasing in demand and of popular interest in local and 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; 2021, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; 2021 Pretoria National Botanical Gardens). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk from the wild.

Snijman, D.A., Berrington, W. and Victor, J.E. 2007. Brunsvigia litoralis R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/28

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

With a restricted area of occurrence of <250 km² on the coastal flats, with severely fragmented sub-populations, the population trend is considered to be declining. Coastal development and invasive alien plant species are conisdered threats to the species' range (Snijman et al. 2007)

Snijman, D.A., Berrington, W. and Victor, J.E. 2007. Brunsvigia litoralis R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/28

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 habitat loss and degradation due to coastal development and invasive alien plant species which have been identified as threats (Snijman et al. 2007), the chance of populations recovering may be poor.

Snijman, D.A., Berrington, W. and Victor, J.E. 2007. Brunsvigia litoralis R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/28

Reference file

brunsvigia _ eBay.pdf1.33 MB

Brunsvigia search results.pdf711.97 KB