Alepidea insculpta | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Apiaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

Other species in this genus are known to be utilized for medicinal purposes and threatened by collection of wild individuals. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Alepidea genus from illegal collection. Few known subpopulations makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is either similar to 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

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Rare as it is known from two subpopulations and is not thought to be threatened (von Staden, 2018). Other species in this genus are known to be utilized for medicinal purposes and threatened by collection of wild individuals (Hutchinson et al. 2016; Cunningham, 1988; Williams, 2003). There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Alepidea genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2010) provided by Cape Nature). This suggests that the genus is being targeted and that rare species may be at risk.

Cunningham, A.B. 1988. An investigation of the herbal medicine trade in Natal/KwaZulu. Investigational Report No. 29. Institute of Natural Resources, Pietermaritzburg.

Hutchinson, S.L., Raimondo, D., Williams, V.L., van Wyk, B.E. & Lötter, M. 2016. Alepidea cordifolia B.-E.van Wyk. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

von Staden, L. 2018. Alepidea insculpta Hilliard & B.L.Burtt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Williams, V.L. 2003. Hawkers of health: an investigation of the Faraday Street traditional medicine market in Johannesburg. Report to Gauteng Directorate for Nature Conservation, DACEL.

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 two subpopulations and has an extent of occurrence of 46 km² (von Staden, 2018).

von Staden, L. 2018. Alepidea insculpta Hilliard & B.L.Burtt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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

Few known subpopulations and range restriction makes this species vulnerable to population loss (von Staden, 2018). Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

von Staden, L. 2018. Alepidea insculpta Hilliard & B.L.Burtt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Alepidea insculpta Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf535.6 KB