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Cyphostemma hardyi

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
Yes
Family
Vitaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is potentially threatened with collecting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes. This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known subpopulations with potential threat 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 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 three locations and is potentially threatened with collecting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes (van Wyk et al. 2005). This genus is currently 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.

van Wyk, A.E., von Staden, L. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Cyphostemma hardyi Retief. 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 three locations and has an extent of occurrence of 400 km² (van Wyk et al. 2005).

van Wyk, A.E., von Staden, L. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Cyphostemma hardyi Retief. 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

Endemism, few known locations and potential threat of harvesting lowers the chances of recruitment and recovery were exploitation to occur, placing the persistence of this species at risk.

Reference file
cyphostemma for sale _ eBay.pdf1021.62 KB
Cyphostemma hardyi Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf533.71 KB