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Haworthia pubescens

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is known to be wild collected for the horticultural trade. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Haworthia genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. A vulnerable population size with existing exploitation and other threats may result in poor recruitment and recovery. 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 Critically Endangered as it is known from one location and experiencing ongoing population decline due to habitat loss, alien invasive plant competition and removal by succulent collectors (Vlok & Raimondo, 2012). The taxonomy of this genus is not yet fully resolved. Taxonomic boundaries are often unclear and the taxa themselves are often immensely variable. The assessment information is therefore subject to the taxon status and recognition (Molteno, S Personal communication, 30 August 2022). This species is known to be highly sought after and wild collected to a significant extent (Molteno, S Personal communication, 30 August 2022).  This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Recently several species of the Haworthia genus have been illegal harvested. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during a recent criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Haworthia genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature and SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden).

Vlok, J.H. & Raimondo, D. 2012. Haworthia pubescens M.B.Bayer. 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 one location with an extent of occurrence of 10 km² and an area of occupancy of less than 1 km² (Vlok & Raimondo, 2012). It is further known from 6 subpopulations within close proximity (Molteno, S Personal communication, 30 August 2022).

Vlok, J.H. & Raimondo, D. 2012. Haworthia pubescens M.B.Bayer. 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 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

A vulnerable population size with existing exploitation and other threats, may result in poor recruitment and recovery.

Reference file
Haworthia pubescens Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf634.24 KB
haworthia _ eBay.pdf1.73 MB
Haworthia Auction.pdf848.24 KB
Haworthia Interest .pdf1.26 MB