Kniphofia ensifolia subsp. autumnalis | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Asphodelaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. No particular South African species are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals. If exploitation were to occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor due to its few known locations of occurrence and ongoing existing threats.

Exploitation extent

None - this species and its close relatives are not exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner.

Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Endangered as it is known from five locations that is experiencing ongoing population decline due to habitat loss from crop cultivation and alien invasive plant encroachment (von Staden, 2018). 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. No particular South African species are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals.

von Staden, L. 2018. Kniphofia ensifolia Baker subsp. autumnalis Codd. 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 205 km² and is known from five locations (von Staden, 2018).

von Staden, L. 2018. Kniphofia ensifolia Baker subsp. autumnalis Codd. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Targeted demographics

Mature (breeding) and immature individuals are not killed, are not significantly weakened (the harvesting methods do not do harm), and are not permanently removed from the wild.

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

If exploitation were to occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor due to its few known locations of occurrence and ongoing existing threats (von Staden, 2018).

von Staden, L. 2018. Kniphofia ensifolia Baker subsp. autumnalis Codd. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Kniphofia ensifolia subsp. autumnalis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf554.66 KB

kniphofia _ eBay.pdf1.53 MB