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Lithops herrei

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Aizoaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is potentially threatened with habitat loss and succulent collecting. This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting. As this taxon does not have a vulnerable population size, recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be possible.
Exploitation extent
Significant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, and utilisation is widespread, affects the majority of wild populations and/or is causing rapid decline of the wild population.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Vulnerable as it is known from few locations that are potentially threatened with habitat loss and succulent collecting (von Staden, 2019). This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Recently several species of the Lithops genus have been illegal harvested. 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 Lithops genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2019-2022) provided by Cape Nature and Sendelingsdrift Desert Botanic Gardens). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be threatened.

von Staden, L. 2019. Lithops herrei L.Bolus. 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

This taxon is thought to be fairly common and is known from less than 10 locations (von Staden, 2019).

von Staden, L. 2019. Lithops herrei L.Bolus. 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 fast population growth rate, and there is a good chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation.
Justification and references

As this taxon does not have a vulnerable population size, recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be possible.

Reference file
Lithops herrei Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf747.36 KB
Lithops Auction.pdf788.33 KB
lithops.pdf1.95 MB