Oxalis lasiorrhiza | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Oxalidaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is known to be cultivated in horticultural trade and has the potential to be targeted in the wild due to its attractive nature. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Oxalis genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. Few known locations of occurrence makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Releasing data on this species can exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is either similar to or belongs to a group containing sensitive species, and is extremely rare in the wild. The localities of wild populations need to be protected to avoid loss to exploitation, which, due to its rarity, could drive the species to extinction within a very short time.

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 Vulnerable as it is known from small subpopulations at two locations and is threatened with recruitment failure (Dreyer et al. 2012). This genus is increasing 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 Oxalis genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2020) provided by Cape Nature). This species is known to be cultivated in horticultural trade and has the potential to be targeted in the wild due to its attractive nature (Personal communication, S. Molteno, 5 August 2022). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that vulnerable species may be at risk from collection and removal from the wild.

Dreyer, L.L., Oberlander, K.C. & Raimondo, D. 2012. Oxalis lasiorrhiza T.M.Salter. 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 two locations with small subpopulations (Dreyer et al. 2012). Populations are confined but large and locally very common (Personal communication, K. Oberlander, 9 August 2022).

Dreyer, L.L., Oberlander, K.C. & Raimondo, D. 2012. Oxalis lasiorrhiza T.M.Salter. 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 taxon is at risk of recruitment failure which threatens its persistence as a species (Dreyer et al. 2012). Since the 2012 assessment this species is now thought to be locally common with a large population size although as it is only known from two locations, it remains vulnerable to population loss.

Dreyer, L.L., Oberlander, K.C. & Raimondo, D. 2012. Oxalis lasiorrhiza T.M.Salter. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Oxalis Aucfan.pdf1.24 MB

oxalis _ eBay.pdf911.17 KB

Oxalis lasiorrhiza Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf158.46 KB