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Disa longipetala

Assessor: Juan Swanepoel

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Orchidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
Other species in this genus are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals. A small and declining population size 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 Vulnerable (von Staden and Bytebier, 2012). Other species in this genus are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals (von Staden et al. 2012, von Staden & Liltved, 2012).

von Staden, L. and Bytebier, B. 2012. Disa longipetala (Lindl.) Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/28

von Staden, L., Oliver, E.G.H. & Raimondo, D. 2012. Disa longicornu L.f. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

von Staden, L. and Bytebier, B. 2012. Disa longipetala (Lindl.) Bolus. 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

The population is considered to have a decreasing trend, currently known from only two sub-populations each consisting of about 100 individuals (von Staden and Bytebier, 2012).

von Staden, L. and Bytebier, B. 2012. Disa longipetala (Lindl.) Bolus. 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

A small and declining population size makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.