Lachenalia gillettii

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Hyacinthaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Several species of the Lachenalia genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. As this taxon does not have a vulnerable population size, were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be possible.
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 of Least Concern as although it has lost 80% of its habitat to crop cultivation, this species is very common (van der Colff et al. 2019). 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. Another species of this genus  is known to be utilized and collected from the wild for horticultural trade (Duncan et al. 2015). Several species of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of 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 this species may be at risk to exploitation.

Duncan, G.D., Helme, N.A., Ebrahim, I. & von Staden, L. 2015. Lachenalia viridiflora W.F.Barker. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

van der Colff, D., Raimondo, D., Duncan, G.D. & Helme, N.A. 2019. Lachenalia pallida Aiton. 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 common and remains as large numbers on more than 40 fragments of its habitat (van der Colff et al. 2019).

van der Colff, D., Raimondo, D., Duncan, G.D. & Helme, N.A. 2019. Lachenalia pallida Aiton. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Targeted demographics
Unknown.
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 species remains common and widespread although it has lost majority of its habitat (van der Colff et al. 2019), if exploitation were to occur, recruitment and recovery may be possible.

van der Colff, D., Raimondo, D., Duncan, G.D. & Helme, N.A. 2019. Lachenalia pallida Aiton. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.