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Alepidea longeciliata

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
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. A declining population size makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery 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

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Endangered as it is experiencing ongoing population decline due to habitat loss and has lost an estimated 50% of its population in the past 60-75 years (von Staden et al. 2009). 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 this genus is being targeted and that endangered 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. 

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.

von Staden, L., Lötter, M. & Winter, P.J.D. 2009. Alepidea longeciliata Schinz ex Dummer. 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

55.6% of this species' range has been transformed whereby its remaining habitat remains threatened (von Staden et al. 2009).

von Staden, L., Lötter, M. & Winter, P.J.D. 2009. Alepidea longeciliata Schinz ex Dummer. 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

Ongoing threat, habitat and population loss places the persistence of this species at risk. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. 

Reference file
Alepidea longeciliata Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf534.08 KB