Aloe prinslooi | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Yes

Family

Asphodelaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is know to be experiencing illegal succulent collection. Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting. Few known locations experiencing exploitation and other existing threats makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. 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 Endangered as it is rare and localised, experiencing population decline due to illegal succulent collecting as well as ongoing habitat loss and degradation (Mtshali et al, 2018). 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 confiscated during criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). Aloe species are widely utilised for traditional and medicinal purposes and are also popular in domestic and international horticulture trade (Grace, 2011). Many wild aloe species are threatened by over-exploitation for the succulent plant trade as well as over-utilisation for cosmetics and natural products which makes rare, endemic and utility taxa conservation priority (Grace, 2011). It is believed that the most sought after and so potentially vulnerable species among plant collectors, are rare endemics and difficult to grow species (Cousins & Witkowski, 2012). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that this species may be at risk.

Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2012. African aloe ecology: a review. Journal of Arid Environments, 85, pp.1-17.

Grace, O.M., 2011. Current perspectives on the economic botany of the genus Aloe L.(Xanthorrhoeaceae). South African Journal of Botany, 77(4), pp.980-987.

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & van Wyk, E. 2018. Aloe prinslooi I.Verd. & D.S.Hardy. 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 estimated extent of occurrence of 9-100 km² and is known from two locations (Mtshali et al, 2018).

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & van Wyk, E. 2018. Aloe prinslooi I.Verd. & D.S.Hardy. 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 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 known locations experiencing exploitation and other existing threats (Mtshali et al, 2018), places the persistence of this species at risk. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & van Wyk, E. 2018. Aloe prinslooi I.Verd. & D.S.Hardy. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

aloe _ eBay.pdf643.68 KB

Aloe Aucfan.pdf468.22 KB

Aloe prinslooi Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf782.46 KB