Lithops villetii subsp. villetii

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Aizoaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This subspecies is known to threatened by harvesting 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. A restricted distribution with existing threats places the persistence of this species at risk. Recruitment and recovery 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 species is of Least Concern however it is known to have a restricted distribution and is threatened with illegal collection for the specialist succulent trade (Burgoyne. P, 2008; Earle, R & Uijs, R, personal communication, 28 October 2022). 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 collected. 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.

Burgoyne, P.M. 2006. Lithops villetii L.Bolus subsp. villetii. 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 restricted distribution. 

(Earle, R & Uijs, R, personal communication, 28 October 2022)

 

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

A restricted distribution with with existing threat places the persistence of this species at risk. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Reference file
Lithops villetii subsp. villetii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf155.18 KB
lithops.pdf1.95 MB
Lithops Auction.pdf788.33 KB