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Cyclopia laxiflora

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Fabaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
Other species in this genus are known to be utilized for honey bush tea and are threatened by collection of wild individuals. A possible extinct, poorly known population with existing threat 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. 
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 Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) as it is poorly known, last collected in the late 1800's and preferred habitat unknown however areas where collected is threatened with habitat loss and degradation (Schutte-Vlok & von Staden, 2011). Other species in this genus are known to be utilized for honey bush tea and are threatened by collection of wild individuals (Mei, 2016; Vlok & Raimondo, 2011). Endangered species may be at risk. 

Mei, Nomama. 2016. PlantZAfrica. Cyclopia meyeriana Walp. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/cyclopia-meyeriana.

Schutte-Vlok, A.L. & von Staden, L. 2011. Cyclopia laxiflora Benth. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Vlok, J.H. & Raimondo, D. 2011. Cyclopia alopecuroides A.L.Schutte. 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

A small chance remains that this species may still be rediscovered as its preferred habitat is unknown however several searches have failed to locate remaining wild populations (Schutte-Vlok & von Staden, 2011).

Schutte-Vlok, A.L. & von Staden, L. 2011. Cyclopia laxiflora Benth. 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

Unable to locate remaining wild populations means this species may possibly be extinct in the wild. With being poorly known, there is a chance it may be rediscovered which, if exploitation were to take place, would remove its chances of recovery and recruitment (Schutte-Vlok & von Staden, 2011).

Schutte-Vlok, A.L. & von Staden, L. 2011. Cyclopia laxiflora Benth. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Cyclopia laxiflora Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf544.89 KB