Back to search results

Aloe pruinosa

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is experiencing population decline due to utilisation for traditional medicine. Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. A small population size with existing threats causing population decline 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 Vulnerable as it is range restricted and experiencing population decline due to utilisation for traditional medicine as well as habitat loss and degradation (Mtshali et a.l 2020). Many Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade (Grace, 2011). Many wild aloe species are threatened by over-exploitation for the succulent plant trade as well as over-utilisation for cosmetics and natural products which makes rare, endemic and utility taxa conservation priority (Grace, 2011). There has been several recorded confiscations of the genus from illegal collection (Confiscation Lists (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden).

Grace, O.M., 2011. Current perspectives on the economic botany of the genus Aloe L.(Xanthorrhoeaceae). South African Journal of Botany, 77(4), pp.980-987.

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & Scott-Shaw, C.R. 2020. Aloe pruinosa Reynolds. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Smith, G.F., Steyn, E.M.A., Victor, J.E., Crouch, N.R., Golding, J.S. and Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. Aloaceae: The conservation status of Aloe in South Africa: an updated synopsis. Bothalia 30(2):206-211.

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 has en extent of occurrence of 433 km² and an area of occupancy of 60 km² with 7-10 known subpopulations that are small, scattered and declining (Mtshali et al. 2020).

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & Scott-Shaw, C.R. 2020. Aloe pruinosa Reynolds. 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

Whole individuals are removed from the wild (Mtshali et al. 2020).

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & Scott-Shaw, C.R. 2020. Aloe pruinosa Reynolds. 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

Stemless aloe species are known to be long-lived and slow growing, showing low levels of recruitment which may be sensitive to harvesting and cause population decline (Cousins & Witowski, 2012). A limited distribution range makes this species vulnerable to population loss (Mtshali et al. 2020). Harvested populations can result in having fewer flowers per flowering plant and a reduced proportion of young recruits (Shackleton & Gambiza, 2007). Tapping (removal of leaves) may result in increased susceptibility to fire because the leaves are removed and therefore do not make a protective skirt around the stem (Shackleton & Gambiza, 2007). 

Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2012. African aloe ecology: a review. Journal of Arid Environments, 85, pp.1-17.

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & Scott-Shaw, C.R. 2020. Aloe pruinosa Reynolds. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Shackleton, C.M. and Gambiza, J., 2007. Growth of Aloe ferox Mill. at selected sites in the Makana region of the Eastern Cape. South African Journal of Botany, 73(2), pp.266-269.

Reference file
aloe _ eBay.pdf643.68 KB
Aloe Aucfan.pdf468.22 KB
Mtshali et al 2020 Aloe pruinosa Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf892.92 KB