Babiana blanda | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Juan Swanepoel

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Iridaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

There have been recorded confiscations of species of the Babiana genus from illegal collection. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known subpopulations with existing threats causing population decline 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.

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 Critically Endangered. The species was previously thought to have gone extinct following frequent collection between the 1940s and 1960s before a large population was discovered again (Raimondo et al. 2015). This genus is increasing in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. There have been recorded confiscations of Babiana spp. from illegal collections (2021, confiscation data provided by Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk from the wild.

Raimondo, D., Koopman, R. & von Staden, L. 2015. Babiana blanda (L.Bolus) G.J.Lewis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/23

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

More than 80% of the species' habitat has been lost to urban and agricultural expansion and remaining populations are isolated and fragmented. The largest sub-population occurs in a severely degraded site subject to heavy grazing and infested with unmanaged alien invasive plants, while the other occurs in a site ear-marked for low-cost housing. The population is potentially threatened by the expansion of crop fields. Subpopulations are isolated and continue to decline due to ongoing habitat degradation (Raimondo et al. 2015).

Raimondo, D., Koopman, R. & von Staden, L. 2015. Babiana blanda (L.Bolus) G.J.Lewis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/23

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 with existing threats causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.