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Othonna pygmaea

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asteraceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade. Several species of the genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. Range restriction and few known subpopulations makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is either similar to another sensitive species 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 Rare as it is range restricted and not thought to be threatened (von Staden, 2018). This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Several species of the genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2018, 2022) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanic Garden, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment). The above suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk.

von Staden, L. 2018. Othonna pygmaea Compton. 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 47 km² and is known from two subpopulations (von Staden, 2018).

von Staden, L. 2018. Othonna pygmaea Compton. 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

Range restriction and few known subpopulations (von Staden, 2018), makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

von Staden, L. 2018. Othonna pygmaea Compton. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Othonna Aucfan.pdf818.38 KB
Othonna african succulents 3.pdf531.1 KB
Othonna african succulents 2.pdf529.61 KB
Othanna african succulents 1.pdf535.16 KB
Othonna pygmaea Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf533.37 KB