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Tylecodon racemosus

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Crassulaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This taxon is sensitive as it has a small population size and is not known to be threatened by illegal collection of wild individuals but there is evidence that this genus is being targeted and exploited for horticultural trade with individuals from several species being illegally removed. Were exploitation to take place, recruitment and recovery may be poor due to its size and facing of other threats that are causing population decline. Releasing data on this species can exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is threatened by widespread, unregulated, unsustainable exploitation of wild populations. 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 of Least Concern (Foden & Potter, 2005). Currently this taxon is experiencing high mortality rates due to drought (Helme, N, personal communication 2022, 25 January). 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 taxon is known to be collectable (Helme, N, personal communication 2022, 25 January). Plants of this genus are known to be utilized and this species was among those targeted and confiscated during illegal plant collecting  (Confiscation Lists (2020-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanic Garden, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that species may be at risk to over-exploitation and removal from the wild.

Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2005. Tylecodon racemosus (Harv.) Toelken. 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

This taxon has an estimated population size of less than 5,000 individuals in the wild (Helme, N, personal communication 2022, 25 January).

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 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 small population, collectability, and known exploitation places the persistence of this species at risk. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Reference file
Tylecodon racemosus Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf513.74 KB
tylecodon _ eBay.pdf898.51 KB
Tylecodon Aucfan.pdf1.17 MB