Anemone bracteata | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Ranunculaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is utilized for traditional medicine purposes, is common at medicinal markets and is known to be rare in the wild. A declining population size with existing threat makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting 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 utilized for traditional medicine purposes, is common at medicinal markets and is known to be rare in the wild (Williams et al. 2008; Cunningham, 1988). This species is likely to become more vulnerable and continue to experience population decline if harvesting of wild populations continues (Williams et al. 2008).

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

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Anemone bracteata (Harv. ex J.Zahlbr.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt. 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 declined by more than 30% in the past 15 years and occurs as highly fragmented subpopulations in isolated sites (Williams et al. 2008).

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

The whole plant is utilized and harvested (Williams et al. 2008).

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

Fragmented and isolated subpopulations with ongoing harvesting and decline may result in lower chances of recruitment and recovery.

Reference file

Anemone bracteata Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf549.2 KB