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Haworthia outeniquensis

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is known to be wild collected for the horticultural trade. This taxon is variable with some distinct forms being sensitive to exploitation. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Haworthia genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. Several existing threats including exploitation makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Releasing data on this variety could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is extremely rare in the wild and is known to be exploited, utilised or traded. The localities of remaining populations need to be protected to avoid any further exploitation, which is likely to drive it to extinction.
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 Vulnerable as it is localized, known from 7-10 locations that are experiencing population decline due to habitat degradation and collection of wild individuals for the specialist succulent horticultural trade (Vlok et al. 2014). The taxonomy of this genus is not yet fully resolved. Taxonomic boundaries are often unclear and the taxa themselves are often immensely variable. The assessment information is therefore subject to the taxon status and recognition (Molteno, S Personal communication, 30 August 2022). This variety is known to be sought after and wild collected to an insignificant extent (Molteno, S Personal communication, 30 August 2022). This genus is in demand and of 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 a recent criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Haworthia genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2022) provided by Cape Nature and SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden). 

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Haworthia outeniquensis M.B.Bayer. 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 136 km² and is known from between 7-10 locations (Vlok et al. 2014). 

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Haworthia outeniquensis M.B.Bayer. 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.
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

Range restriction and few known locations of occurrence with existing threat causing population decline (Vlok et al. 2014), makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Haworthia outeniquensis M.B.Bayer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
haworthia _ eBay.pdf1.73 MB
Haworthia Interest .pdf1.26 MB
Haworthia Auction.pdf848.24 KB
Haworthia.pdf774.07 KB