Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Apocynaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade. There have been several recorded confiscations of this species and of the Hoodia genus from illegal collection. A declining population size with existing threats makes this taxon vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this subspecies 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 subspecies is Vulnerable as it is range restricted and experiencing population decline for unknown reasons (Raimondo, 2019). This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of the Hoodia pilifera species and others of the genus were among those targeted and confiscated during a recent criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of this species and of the Hoodia genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2019-2022) provided by Karoo Desert Botanical Garden, Cape Nature, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this subspecies may be threatened.

Raimondo, D. 2019. Hoodia pilifera (L.f.) Plowes subsp. annulata (N.E.Br.) Bruyns. 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 5594 km² and is known from 8 locations, occurring as widely scattered individuals with a declining population size (Raimondo, 2019).

Raimondo, D. 2019. Hoodia pilifera (L.f.) Plowes subsp. annulata (N.E.Br.) Bruyns. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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

Few known locations of occurrence and widely scattered individuals whereby exploitation of its Hoodia pilifera is known (Raimondo, 2019), makes this subspecies vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Raimondo, D. 2019. Hoodia pilifera (L.f.) Plowes subsp. annulata (N.E.Br.) Bruyns. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

hoodia _ eBay.pdf516.74 KB