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Ledebouria ovalifolia

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Hyacinthaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species and several others of the Ledebouria genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade and medicinal trade. As this species does not have a vulnerable population size, 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 (Hankey & Victor, 2005). This species and several others of the Ledebouria genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation lists (2019-2021) provided by SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). 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 illegal plant collection as well as being popular in ethnomedicinal plant trade  (Lötter & von Staden, 2016; Crouch et al. 2007). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that this species may be at risk to over-exploitation.


Crouch, N.R., Edwards, T.J. and Beaumont, A. 2007. Ledebouria ovatifolia subsp. scabrida. Flowering Plants of Africa 60:14-19.

Hankey, A.J. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Ledebouria ovalifolia (Schrad.) Jessop. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Lötter, M. & von Staden, L. 2016. Ledebouria rupestris (Van der Merwe) S.Venter. 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

Population data on this species is unavailable but it is of Least Concern (Hankey & Victor, 2005).

Hankey, A.J. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Ledebouria ovalifolia (Schrad.) Jessop. 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 recorded in confiscations.

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

As this species does not have a vulnerable population size, recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be possible.

Reference file
ledebouria _ eBay.pdf509.99 KB
Ledebouria aucfan.pdf484.93 KB
Ledebouria ovalifolia Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf592.74 KB