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Disa spathulata

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

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 rare and threatened 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 Data Deficient- Insufficient Information as there is no population data to support the assessment and is rarely seen at present due to habitat loss compared to past indications of the species being quite common (von Staden et al. 2007). 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., Bytebier, B. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Disa spathulata (L.f.) Sw. subsp. spathulata. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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. & Liltved, W.R. 2012. Disa lugens Bolus var. nigrescens (H.P.Linder) H.P.Linder. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Population vulnerability
Unknown
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 rare and threatened population size makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. 

Reference file
Disa spathulata Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf725.61 KB