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Disa sankeyi

Assessor: Juan Swanepoel

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Orchidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
Other species in this genus are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals. As this taxon is thought to have a stable population size, 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 Rare (Mtshali and von Staden, 2015). Other species in this genus are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals (von Staden et al. 2012, von Staden & Liltved, 2012).

von Staden, L. & Liltved, W.R. 2012. Disa lugens Bolus var. nigrescens (H.P.Linder) H.P.Linder. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

von Staden, L., Oliver, E.G.H. & Raimondo, D. 2012. Disa longicornu L.f. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Mtshali, H. and von Staden, L. 2015. Disa sankeyi Rolfe. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2022/01/04

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

The population has an extent of occurrence of 11583 km² and, despite possibly declining in the Eastern Cape due to habitat loss and degradation as result of overgrazing, crop cultivation and timber plantations, is protected and stable across the majority of its habitat in KwaZulu-Natal (Mtshali and von Staden, 2015).

Mtshali, H. and von Staden, L. 2015. Disa sankeyi Rolfe. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2022/01/04

Targeted demographics
Unknown.
Regeneration potential
This species has a fast population growth rate, and there is a good chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation.
Justification and references

As this taxon is thought to have a stable population size, were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be possible.