Aloe reitzii subsp. vernalis | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Asphodelaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This subspecies is experiencing population decline due to harvesting for medicinal purposes.Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. Few known subpopulations with existing threats causing population decline places makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. Releasing data on this taxon 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

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 subspecies is Vulnerable as it is a range restricted endemic known from one location that is potentially threatened by changes in native species dynamics and alien invasive plant competition (Mtshali et al. 2018). This taxon is experiencing population decline due to harvesting for medicinal purposes (Mtshali, 2017). An internet survey indicated that this genus is very popular in trade, and that there is a very high demand. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during a recent criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting. There has been several recorded confiscations of the genus from illegal collection (Confiscation Lists (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade (Grace, 2011; Cousins & Witowski, 2012). Many wild aloe species are threatened by over-exploitation for the succulent plant trade as well as over-utilisation for cosmetics and natural products which makes rare, endemic and utility taxa conservation priority (Grace, 2011). It is believed that the most sought after and so potentially vulnerable species among plant collectors, are rare endemics and difficult to grow species (Cousins & Witkowski, 2012).

Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2012. African aloe ecology: a review. Journal of Arid Environments, 85, pp.1-17.

Grace, O.M., 2011. Current perspectives on the economic botany of the genus Aloe L.(Xanthorrhoeaceae). South African Journal of Botany, 77(4), pp.980-987.

Mtshali, H. 2017. Aloe reitzii Reynolds var. vernalis D.S.Hardy. PlantZAfrica. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/aloe-reitzii-var-vernalis

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & van Wyk, E. 2018. Aloe reitzii Reynolds var. vernalis D.S.Hardy. 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 is known from a single location with an extent occurrence of 1 km² consisting of several thousand individuals.

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & van Wyk, E. 2018. Aloe reitzii Reynolds var. vernalis D.S.Hardy. 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.

Justification and references

This species leaves are known to be harvested for medicinal purposes which is causing population decline (Mtshali, 2017).

Mtshali, H. 2017. Aloe reitzii Reynolds var. vernalis D.S.Hardy. PlantZAfrica. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/aloe-reitzii-var-vernalis

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

Stemless aloe species are known to be long-lived and slow growing, showing low levels of recruitment which may be sensitive to harvesting, causing population decline (Cousins & Witowski, 2012). Range restriction and endemism makes this species vulnerable to population loss which may result in insufficient levels of recruitment if the species were to be over-collected.

Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2012. African aloe ecology: a review. Journal of Arid Environments, 85, pp.1-17

Reference file

aloe _ eBay.pdf643.68 KB

Aloe Aucfan.pdf468.22 KB

Mtshali 2018 Aloe reitzii subsp. vernalis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf880.05 KB