Assessor: Sarah Schumann
According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Endangered as it has lost over 70% of its habitat to agriculture in the past 60 years and over 3 generations (Raimondo et al. 2007). 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 this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2016-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanic Garden, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that endangered species may be at risk.
Raimondo, D., Todd, S. & Marinus, E. 2007. Eriospermum erinum P.L.Perry. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
This taxon is known from an area of 800 kmĀ² but over 70% of its habitat has been transformed indicating that its remaining population may be small (Raimondo et al. 2007).
Raimondo, D., Todd, S. & Marinus, E. 2007. Eriospermum erinum P.L.Perry. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Severe habitat loss (Raimondo et al. 2007), places the persistence of this species at risk. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Generally Eriospermums are long-lived, slow-growing tuberous genus that have a high regeneration rate for most species. Can form large local populations quite quickly but majority of species are rare in the landscape making them vulnerable to illegal collection. Species are usually locally abundant but multiplication can be slow and small. (van Jaarsveld. E, Helme. N & Peckover. R, personal communication 2021, 14 October)
Raimondo, D., Todd, S. & Marinus, E. 2007. Eriospermum erinum P.L.Perry. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.