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Bulbine bruynsii

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is highly collectable and thought to be potential target for illegal collection of wild individuals. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. A restricted range and small population size makes this species highly vulnerable to population loss. Releasing data on this species can 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 one subpopulation and potentially threatened with habitat loss and illegal collection for the specialist succulent trade (Helme & von Staden, 2012). This species is highly sought after in the horticultural trade and is hard to grow from seed (Helme & von Staden, 2012). This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Bulbine genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2019-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, and Karoo Desert Botanic Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk.

Helme, N.A. & von Staden, L. 2012. Bulbine bruynsii S.A.Hammer. 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 is known from one subpopulation and from an area of 29 km² (Helme & von Staden, 2012).

Helme, N.A. & von Staden, L. 2012. Bulbine bruynsii S.A.Hammer. 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.
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

Range restriction endemism and one known subpopulation makes this species vulnerable to population loss.

Reference file
Bulbine bruynsii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf845.53 KB
Bulbine.pdf870.42 KB
bulbine_ Search Result .pdf1.68 MB