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Euphorbia obesa

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is threatened by harvesting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Euphorbia genus from illegal collection. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. A small population size with existing threat causing population decline 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 Endangered as it is experiencing ongoing population decline due to habitat degradation and harvesting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes (Bruyns et al. 2014). 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. There have been several recorded confiscations of Euphorbia species from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, Karoo Desert Botanical Garden, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk.

Bruyns, P.V., Raimondo, D. & Dold, A.P. 2014. Euphorbia obesa Hook.f. 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 an extent of occurrence of 640 km² and has an estimated population size of less than 500 mature individuals (Bruyns et al. 2014).

Bruyns, P.V., Raimondo, D. & Dold, A.P. 2014. Euphorbia obesa Hook.f. 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.
Justification and references

Whole individuals are removed.

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

A small population size with existing threat causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. 

Reference file
euphorbia _ eBay.pdf1.06 MB
Euphorbia Aucfan.pdf1.75 MB
Euphorbia obesa Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants - Copy.pdf771.55 KB