Back to search results

Muiria hortenseae

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Aizoaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is sought after for horticultural trade and is subjected to illegal harvesting. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. A small population makes this species vulnerable to population loss and of high concern. Releasing data on this species can 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 species is Critically Endangered as its population has been reduced by over 80% due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation whereby five known subpopulations remain (Vlok & Raimondo, 2006). This species is sought after for horticultural trade and is being illegally harvested (Personal communication, S. Molteno, 5 August 2022).Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. This suggests that species of this genus may be targeted and at risk of over-exploitation.

Vlok, J.H. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Muiria hortenseae N.E.Br. 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 less than 1 km² and is known from five subpopulations (Vlok & Raimondo, 2006).

Vlok, J.H. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Muiria hortenseae N.E.Br. 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

Population reduction and ongoing threat including exploitation places the persistence of this species at risk.

Reference file
Muiria hortenseae Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf550.23 KB