Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Hypoxidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species was among those confiscated from illegal plant collecting. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Monitoring of the effect of extensive harvesting on this species is needed to assess the population's vulnerability to exploitation. As the species is thought to be widespread and abundant, recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be possible.
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 of Least Concern as it is has experienced population decline from commercial exploitation as well as from habitat loss and degradation but is thought to be naturally abundant, widespread and not in danger of extinction (Williams et al. 2019). 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. This species was among those confiscated from illegal plant collecting (Confiscation lists (2019-2022) provided by SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Cape Nature). This suggests that this species may be targeted at risk to over-exploitation.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Victor, J.E., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M. & Singh, Y. 2019. Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Population vulnerability
Population is not vulnerable: size is > 2500 mature individuals, AND the number of known subpopulations is > 5 AND range > 100km2
Justification and references

Specific population data on this species is not available. However this species is thought to be naturally abundant and widespread (Williams et al. 2019).

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Victor, J.E., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M. & Singh, Y. 2019. Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall. 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.
Regeneration potential
This species has a fast population growth rate, and there is a good chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation.
Justification and references

Monitoring of the effect of extensive harvesting on this species is needed to assess the population's vulnerability to exploitation (Williams et al. 2019). As population data on this species is not available, regeneration potential cannot be deduced. However as it is deemed of Least Concern and common, recruitment and recovery may be possible.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Victor, J.E., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M., Ngwenya, A.M. & Singh, Y. 2019. Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.