Moraea elegans | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Iridaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Other Moraea species are known to be threatened by harvesting of wild individuals. Several species of this genus were among those confiscated from illegal plant collecting. Few remaining fragmented subpopulations with existing threats causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species could 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 Endangered as it has lost 60-80% of its habitat to crop cultivation whereby the remaining subpopulations are fragmented and experiencing population decline due to further crop cultivation and alien plant invasion (Goldblatt et al. 2006). 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. Other Moraea species are known to be threatened by harvesting of wild individuals (Goldblatt et al. 2006; Goldblatt & Raimondo, 2006). Several species of this genus were among those confiscated from illegal plant collecting (Confiscation lists (2020-2021) provided by SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that endangered species of this genus may be at risk to over-exploitation.

Goldblatt, P., Manning, J.C. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Moraea angulata Goldblatt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Goldblatt, P. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Moraea atropunctata Goldblatt. 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 less than 600 km² (Goldblatt et al. 2006). Further specific population data is not available however it is known to have lost 60-80% of its habitat with remaining subpopulations fragmented and continuing to decline (Goldblatt et al. 2006).

Goldblatt, P., Turner, R.C. & Naidoo, K. 2006. Moraea elegans Jacq. 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

Severe habitat loss resulting in fragmented subpopulations that are experiencing existing ongoing threat (Goldblatt et al. 2006), places the persistence of this species at risk. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Goldblatt, P., Turner, R.C. & Naidoo, K. 2006. Moraea elegans Jacq. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Moraea elegans Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf717.96 KB

moraea.pdf669.68 KB