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Pelargonium greytonense

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Geraniaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This taxon is not thought to be sensitive because collectors will target cuttings on insignificant scale. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the pelargonium genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. Although exploitation is minimal, the genus is known to be targeted and with a vulnerable population size experiencing existing threat, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
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 Vulnerable as it is highly range restricted and experiencing ongoing population decline due to alien plant invasion competition (von Staden, 2019). This taxon is not thought to be sensitive because collectors will target cuttings on insignificant scale (van der Walt, R personal communication, 12 August 2022). This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Pelargonium genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Karoo Desert Botanic Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be threatened.

von Staden, L. 2019. Pelargonium greytonense J.J.A.van der Walt. 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 34 km² and is known from seven locations (von Staden, 2019).

von Staden, L. 2019. Pelargonium greytonense J.J.A.van der Walt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Targeted demographics
Mature (breeding) and immature individuals are not killed, are not significantly weakened (the harvesting methods do not do harm), and are not permanently removed from the wild.
Justification and references

Cuttings are targeted (van der Walt, R personal communication, 12 August 2022).

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

Although exploitation is minimal, a vulnerable population size experiencing existing threat, makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Recruitment and recovery may be poor. 

Reference file
Pelargonium greytonense Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf623.2 KB
Pelargonium _ eBay.pdf561.91 KB
Pelargonium African Succulents.pdf408.87 KB
Pelargonium Aucfan.pdf854.01 KB