Pelargonium longicaule var. angustipetalum

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Geraniaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This variety is known to be wild collected to a insignificant extent. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the pelargonium genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. Although exploitation is minimal, with other threats included and a vulnerable population size, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this taxon 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

Small or insignificant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, but utilisation is localised and/or affects only a small proportion of the wild population.

Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this variety is Vulnerable as it is known from one location that is threatened by agriculture (Raimondo, 2007). It is thought that it is unlikely that this variety will be collected on a significant scale (van der Walt, R personal communication, 12 August 2022). This genus is in demand and of popular 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/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Pelargonium genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Karoo Desert Botanic Garden).

Raimondo, D. 2007. Pelargonium longicaule Jacq. var. angustipetalum C.Boucher. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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 known from one location (Raimondo, 2007).

Raimondo, D. 2007. Pelargonium longicaule Jacq. var. angustipetalum C.Boucher. 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.

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 single known locality makes this taxon highly vulnerable to population loss. Although exploitation is minimal, with other threats included and a vulnerable population size, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Reference file

Pelargonium _ eBay.pdf561.91 KB

Pelargonium African Succulents.pdf408.87 KB

Pelargonium Aucfan.pdf854.01 KB

Pelargonium longicaule var. angustipetalumThreatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf848.16 KB