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Haemanthus dasyphyllus

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
Several others of the Haemanthus genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known subpopulations makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Were exploitation to 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 Rare as it is known from few, localized subpopulations and is not threatened due to its inaccessibility (Snijman & Victor, 2004). 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. Other species in this genus are known to be threatened by harvesting of wild individuals (Snijman & Victor, 2004; Snijman et al. 2007). Several species of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2016-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, Karoo Desert Botanic Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that rare species may be at risk.

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Haemanthus dasyphyllus Snijman. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Haemanthus nortieri Isaac. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Snijman, D.A., Raimondo, D. & Victor, J.E. 2007. Haemanthus canaliculatus Levyns. 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 four highly localized subpopulations (Snijman & Victor, 2004).

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Haemanthus dasyphyllus Snijman. 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

Few localized subpopulations (Snijman & Victor, 2004) makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Haemanthus dasyphyllus Snijman. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
haemanthus _ eBay.pdf577.13 KB
Haemanthus Aucfan.pdf909.29 KB
Haemanthus dasyphyllus Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf533.74 KB