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Lithops geyeri

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Aizoaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is known to be harvested for the specialist succulent trade. This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Lithops genus from illegal collection. As this species is rare and experiencing harvesting, this species is vulnerable to further population loss. Releasing data on this species 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 Rare as it is range restricted but not experiencing significant threat (Victor, 2005). A colony of this species is known to be harvested for the specialist succulent trade (Earlé & Round, 2021). 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 (2019-2021) provided by Cape Nature and Sendelingsdrift Desert Botanic Gardens). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be threatened.

Earlé, R.A. and Round, J.E., 2021. Lithops in habitat and cultivation.

Victor, J.E. 2005. Lithops geyeri Nel. 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 500 km² and an unknown population size (Victor, 2005).

Victor, J.E. 2005. Lithops geyeri Nel. 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

Regeneration potential is not known for all lithops taxa (Earle, R & Uijs, R, personal communication, 28 October 2022). However, as this species is rare and experiencing harvesting, this species is vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Reference file
Lithops Auction.pdf788.33 KB
lithops.pdf1.95 MB
Victor 2005 Lithops geyeri Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf609.32 KB