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Pelargonium ovale subsp. hyalinum

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Geraniaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is known to be wild collected to a insignificant extent. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the pelargonium genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. Although exploitation is minimal, with other threats included and a vulnerable population size, releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
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 Vulnerable as it is localised habitat specialist that is threatened by alien invasive plant competition (von Staden & Helme, 2018). Collectors are thought to target cuttings which will have a minimal impact on the species (van der Walt, R personal communication, 12 August 2022). This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Pelargonium genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Karoo Desert Botanic Garden). 

von Staden, L. & Helme, N.A. 2018. Pelargonium ovale (Burm.f.) L'Hér. subsp. hyalinum Hugo. 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 has an extent of occurrence of 1547 km² and is known from between 5-10 locations whereby 2 locations are declining (von Staden & Helme, 2018).

von Staden, L. & Helme, N.A. 2018. Pelargonium ovale (Burm.f.) L'Hér. subsp. hyalinum Hugo. 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.
Justification and references

Cutting are known to be collected (van der Walt, R personal communication, 12 August 2022).

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 subpopulations with existing threat makes this subspecies vulnerable to population loss. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Reference file
Pelargonium _ eBay.pdf561.91 KB
Pelargonium African Succulents.pdf408.87 KB
Pelargonium Aucfan.pdf854.01 KB
Pelargonium ovale subsp. hyalinum Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf626.59 KB