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Crinum moorei

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is experiencing ongoing population decline due to harvesting of wild individuals for the medicinal plant trade. Research has indicated the utilization of this species and others from the Crinium genus in medicinal trade. A small distribution with threats of over-exploitation lowers this species chances of recruitment and recovery. 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 experiencing ongoing population decline due to harvesting of wild individuals for the medicinal plant trade as well as predation (Williams et al. 2008). Research has indicated the utilization of this species and others from the Crinium genus in medicinal trade (Cunningham, 1988; Williams et al. 2013). Traders of Crinium species are not thought to differentiate between species and so the genus is being targeted and under threat of over-exploitation (Williams et al. 2008).

Cunningham, A.B. 1988. An investigation of the herbal medicine trade in Natal/KwaZulu. Investigational Report No. 29. Institute of Natural Resources, Pietermaritzburg.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M., Brueton, V.J. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Crinum moorei Hook.f. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Williams, V.L., Victor, J.E. and Crouch, N.R., 2013. Red listed medicinal plants of South Africa: status, trends, and assessment challenges. South African Journal of Botany, 86, pp.23-35.

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 a small distribution, is not common, is sparsely distributed and not often seen in the wild (Williams et al. 2008). Its population has declined by 20% in the past 70 years (2 generations) and is expected to decline by a further 10% in the next 20 years (Williams et al. 2008).

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M., Brueton, V.J. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Crinum moorei Hook.f. 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

Its bulbs are traded in medicinal markets (Williams et al. 2008).

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M., Brueton, V.J. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Crinum moorei Hook.f. 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

A small distribution, ongoing threats of over-exploitation and predation lowers this species chances of recruitment and recovery (Williams et al. 2008).

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M., Brueton, V.J. & Dold, A.P. 2008. Crinum moorei Hook.f. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Reference file
Crinum moorei Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf576.6 KB