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Haemanthus deformis

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is experiencing ongoing population decline from harvesting of wild individuals for the local medicinal plant trade. 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. 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 fragmented, sparse and is experiencing ongoing population decline from harvesting of wild individuals for the local medicinal plant trade (Williams & Crouch, 2011; Von Ahlefeldt et al. 2003). 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 species may be at risk.

Von Ahlefeldt, D., Crouch, N.R., Nichols, G., Symmonds, R., McKean, S., Sibiya, H. and Cele, M.P. 2003. Medicinal plants traded on South Africa's eastern seabord. Porcupine Press, Durban.

Williams, V.L. & Crouch, N.R. 2011. Haemanthus deformis Hook.f. 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  17 900 km² with a small population that is highly fragmented and not abundant (Williams & Crouch, 2011).

Williams, V.L. & Crouch, N.R. 2011. Haemanthus deformis 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

Bulbs are removed from the wild and have been seen at medicinal markets (Williams & Crouch, 2011).

Williams, V.L. & Crouch, N.R. 2011. Haemanthus deformis 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

This taxon has been described as having a small population that is vulnerable to over-exploitation if harvesting for medicinal trade were to continue (Cunningham, 1988). Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

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

Reference file
Haemanthus deformis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf620.71 KB
haemanthus _ eBay.pdf577.13 KB
Haemanthus Aucfan.pdf909.29 KB