Cryptocarya latifolia | SANBI Sensitive Species

Exploitation extent

Small or insignificant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, but utilisation is localised and/or affects only a small proportion of the wild population.

Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is of Least Concern and is experiencing continued population decline due to bark harvesting for medicinal purposes as well as habitat loss however its population has declined by an estimated 20% in the past 120 years (3 generations) and is not expected to exceed 30% in the next 3 generations (Williams et al. 2016). Furthermore this species is thought to withstand habitat degradation which makes it less threatened (Williams et al. 2016). Other species of this genus are threatened with bark harvesting for medicinal purposes and have been recorded at medicinal markets (Williams et al. 2016; Williams et al. 2008; Cunningham, 1998; Williams, 2007). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that this species may be at risk to over-collection and removal from the wild.

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

Williams, V.L. 2007. The design of a risk assessment model to determine the impact of the herbal medicine trade on the Witwatersrand on resources of indigenous plant species. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Dold, A.P., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Cryptocarya myrtifolia Stapf. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2016. Cryptocarya latifolia Sond. 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

Population data is unavailable however a 20-30% population reduction is expected to continue paralleled with habitat loss decreasing population numbers (Williams et al. 2016).

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2016. Cryptocarya latifolia Sond. 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

Bark is harvested resulting in mortality of individuals and a decline in population (Williams et al. 2016).

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2016. Cryptocarya latifolia Sond. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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

This species is thought to withstand habitat degradation which makes it more resilient to threat and with low levels of decline this species may be able to recover from exploitation (Williams et al. 2016).

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2016. Cryptocarya latifolia Sond. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.