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Habenaria mossii

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Orchidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. No particular South African species are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals. 
Exploitation extent
None - this species and its close relatives are not exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Endangered as it is known from six small and scattered subpopulations that are experiencing population decline due to urban expansion (Pfab & Victor, 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. No particular South African species are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals. 

Pfab, M.F. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Habenaria mossii (G.Will.) J.C.Manning. 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 six subpopulations with an estimated population size of 230 mature individuals (Pfab & Victor, 2005).

Pfab, M.F. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Habenaria mossii (G.Will.) J.C.Manning. 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.
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

Few known small and scattered subpopulations with existing threat causing population decline (Pfab & Victor, 2005), places the persistence of this species at risk. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Pfab, M.F. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Habenaria mossii (G.Will.) J.C.Manning. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
habenaria _ eBay.pdf653.24 KB
Habenaria mossii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf760.42 KB