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Huernia kennedyana

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Apocynaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. There has been recorded confiscations of several species of the genus from illegal collection. As this taxon does not have a vulnerable population size and it is not thought to be threatened, were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be possible.
Exploitation extent
Uncertain - No data exists yet showing that this species is exploited in the wild, however it has one or more relatives or look-alike species (found in South Africa or globally) that are known to be utilised. This species has a similar life form or other relevant traits to its exploited relative(s), making it highly likely that it would be exploited for the same purposes.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is of Least Concern as it is rare and range restricted but not facing any significant threat (Raimondo & Dold, 2019). 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. There has been recorded confiscations of several species of the genus from illegal collection (Confiscations Lists (2022) provided by Kirstenbosch and Karoo Desert Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that this species may be at risk.

Raimondo, D. & Dold, A.P. 2019. Huernia kennedyana Lavranos. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Population vulnerability
Population is not vulnerable: size is > 2500 mature individuals, AND the number of known subpopulations is > 5 AND range > 100km2
Justification and references

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 1027 km² (Raimondo & Dold, 2019).

Raimondo, D. & Dold, A.P. 2019. Huernia kennedyana Lavranos. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Targeted demographics
Unknown.
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 species is among the rarest and most localized of this genus which makes it vulnerable to over-exploitation (Raimondo & Dold, 2019).

Raimondo, D. & Dold, A.P. 2019. Huernia kennedyana Lavranos. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Reference file
huernia _ eBay.pdf1.16 MB
Huernia Aucfan.pdf847.75 KB
Huernia kennedyana Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf543.53 KB