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Gasteria rawlinsonii

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is known to be harvested to a small extent from the wild for the specialist horticultural trade that has not been noticed to affect the majority of the population. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Gasteria genus is in high demand in international horticultural trade. Few known subpopulations makes this species vulnerable to population loss.
Exploitation extent
Small or insignificant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, but utilisation is localised and/or affects only a small proportion of the wild population.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Rare as it is known from two sites and is not threatened due to its inaccessibility (van Jaarsveld & Potter, 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. Several species of the Gasteria genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2021) provided by SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This species is known to be harvested to a small extent from the wild for the specialist horticultural trade that has not been noticed to affect the majority of the population (Personal communication, S. Molteno, 5 August 2022).

van Jaarsveld, E.J. & Potter, L. 2005. Gasteria rawlinsonii Oberm. 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 two sites (van Jaarsveld & Potter, 2005). Four subpopulations are known (Personal communication, S. Molteno, 5 August 2022).

van Jaarsveld, E.J. & Potter, L. 2005. Gasteria rawlinsonii Oberm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Targeted demographics
Mature (breeding) and immature individuals are not killed, are not significantly weakened (the harvesting methods do not do harm), and are not permanently removed from the wild.
Justification and references

Cuttings are removed but plants are proliferous.

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

Two known locations makes this species vulnerable to population loss.

Reference file
Gasteria Aucfan.pdf668.44 KB
gasteria _ eBay.pdf1.01 MB
Gasteria rawlinsonii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf739.11 KB