Alepidea cordifolia | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Apiaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is threatened by ongoing harvesting for the medicinal plant trade. Other species in this genus are also known to be utilized for medicinal purposes and threatened by collection of wild individuals. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Alepidea genus from illegal collection. A declining population size with existing threats 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 Endangered as it has lost an estimated 50% of its population due to ongoing harvesting for the medicinal plant trade as well as experiencing habitat loss (Hutchinson et al. 2016). This species is known to be highly sought after in medicinal trade and has been harvested throughout its range (Hutchinson et al. 2016). Several other species in this genus are known to be utilized for medicinal purposes and threatened by collection of wild individuals. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Alepidea genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2010) provided by Cape Nature). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk from collection and removal from the wild. Several studies have reported on this taxons growing scarcity due to unsustainable over harvesting and exploitation of wild populations for urban medicinal muthi market trade (Maroyi, 2008; Van Wyk et al. 2008).

Hutchinson, S.L., Raimondo, D., Williams, V.L., van Wyk, B.E. & Lötter, M. 2016. Alepidea cordifolia B.-E.van Wyk. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Maroyi, A. 2008. Ethnobotanical study of two threatened medicinal plants in Zimbabwe. The International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management 4(3):148-153.

Van Wyk, B.E., de Castro, A., Tilney, P.M., Winter, P.J.D. and Magee, A.R. 2008. A new species of Alepidea (Apiaceae, subfam. Saniculoideae). South African Journal of Botany 74(4):740-745.

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 is estimated to have declined by 50% over the past 60 years (three generations) and is becoming rare and eradicated in many areas of its range (Hutchinson et al. 2016).

Hutchinson, S.L., Raimondo, D., Williams, V.L., van Wyk, B.E. & Lötter, M. 2016. Alepidea cordifolia B.-E.van Wyk. 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

This species rhizomes are harvested causing the death of individuals and a decline in its population (Hutchinson et al. 2016).

Hutchinson, S.L., Raimondo, D., Williams, V.L., van Wyk, B.E. & Lötter, M. 2016. Alepidea cordifolia B.-E.van Wyk. 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

Over-harvesting of wild individuals has put pressure on this species across its range whereby it has become rare and chances of recovery are poor, threatening the persistence of this species (Hutchinson et al. 2016).

Hutchinson, S.L., Raimondo, D., Williams, V.L., van Wyk, B.E. & Lötter, M. 2016. Alepidea cordifolia B.-E.van Wyk. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Alepidea cordifolia Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf584.71 KB