Aloidendron ramosissimum | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Asphodelaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species and others of the genus have been confiscated from illegal plant collecting. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known locations and several existing threats causing decreased recruitment and adult mortality makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. With evidence of removal from the wild from illegal collection, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species 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 Vulnerable as it is known from few locations that are experiencing population decline due to habitat degradation and likely climate-change related warming (Raimondo et al. 2015). This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. This species and others have been confiscated from illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and this species may be threatened with exploitation.

Raimondo, D., Foden, W. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Aloidendron ramosissimum (Pillans) Klopper & Gideon.F.Sm. 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 1247 km² and is known from between 5 and 10 locations with a declining population size (Raimondo et al. 2015).

Raimondo, D., Foden, W. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Aloidendron ramosissimum (Pillans) Klopper & Gideon.F.Sm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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.

Justification and references

Whole individuals are removed from the wild.

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 locations and several existing threats causing decreased recruitment and adult mortality(Raimondo et al. 2015) makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. With evidence of removal from the wild from illegal collection, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Raimondo, D., Foden, W. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Aloidendron ramosissimum (Pillans) Klopper & Gideon.F.Sm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

aloidendron _ eBay.pdf638.69 KB

Aloidendron ramosissimum Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf782.92 KB