Haemanthus amarylloides subsp. toximontanus

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This subspecies is threatened with harvesting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes. Several others of the Haemanthus genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known locations of occurrence with existing threats causing population decline makes this subspecies vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting 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

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 subspecies is Endangered as it is known from five locations that are threatened with habitat loss, degradation and harvesting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes (Snijman & Victor, 2004). This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Several species of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2016-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, Karoo Desert Botanic Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this subspecies may be at risk.

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Haemanthus amarylloides Jacq. subsp. toximontanus Snijman. 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 has an extent of occurrence of 625 km² and is known from five locations (Snijman & Victor, 2004).

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Haemanthus amarylloides Jacq. subsp. toximontanus Snijman. 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

Few known locations, exploitation and other existing threat (Snijman & Victor, 2004), places the persistence of this subspecies at risk whereby recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Haemanthus amarylloides Jacq. subsp. toximontanus Snijman. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Haemanthus amarylloides toximontanus Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf736.15 KB

haemanthus _ eBay.pdf577.13 KB

Haemanthus Aucfan.pdf909.29 KB