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Adromischus mammillaris

Assessor: Tania Anderson

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Crassulaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
There have been several recorded confiscations of this species and others of the Adromischus genus from illegal collection. The genus is readily available in the horticultural trade and easily propagated from leaves, so it is thought that there is no reason to collect wild plants. Few known locations of occurrence makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability. 
This species is either similar to another sensitive species or belongs to a group containing sensitive species, and is extremely rare in the wild. The localities of wild populations need to be protected to avoid loss to exploitation, which, due to its rarity, could drive the species to extinction within a very short time.
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

An internet survey (intern of M. Pfab, SANBI Scientific Authority) indicated that this genus is very popular in trade, and that there is a very high demand. There is no evidence that this species is exploited in the wild. There have been several recorded confiscations of this species and others of the Adromischus genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2022) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and SANparks Sendlingsdrift). 

The genus is readily available in the horticultural trade and easily propagated from leaves (C. Rodgerson pers. obs.), so it is thought that there is no reason to collect wild plants.

 

 

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

Only two locations of this species are known (Raimondo et al. 2009).   

Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.  http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=3831-27. 

Targeted demographics
Unknown.
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

The population growth rate is unknown. Population size is likely to be limited by suitable habitat. Should exploitation occur, even if only cuttings or leaves are collected, compounded with overgrazing and trampling by ostriches which have been identified as threats (Raimondo et al. 2009), the chance of populations recovering may be a poor.  

Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.  http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=3831-27.

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Reference file
adromischus -.pdf976.15 KB
Adromischus_ .pdf1.02 MB