Conophytum bilobum subsp. claviferens | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Aizoaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

Several species of the genus and other bilobum subspecies are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Conophytum genus is in high demand in international horticultural trade. A small population size and restricted range makes this subspecies vulnerable to population loss, were exploitation to take place. Releasing data on this subspecies can 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 IUCN Red List Assessment, this subspecies is Critically Endangered as it is known from a single location with a small population size that is threatened with illegal collection of mature individuals for the international trade in ornamental succulents in 2020-21 as well as livestock grazing (Young, 2022). It has been highly sought after by collectors and is highly likely to remain so in future (Young, 2022). As of 2019, this genus has become popular in trade and there is a high demand from international and domestic horticultural markets for wild collected plants as indicated by media, police reports and several online marketplace, e-commerce, and auction sites (Friedman, 2021; Tshuma, 2021; Trenchard, 2021; Hyman, 2020; Young, 2020). Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Majikela, 2020; Myburgh, 2021). There has been recorded confiscations of the bilobum species from illegal collection (Confiscation Lists (2019-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment).This suggests that this genus and species is being targeted and this subspecies may be threatened.

Friedman, B. 2021. 24 May 2021. South Africa targeted for rare plant poaching placing biodiversity at risk. Cape Talk. Available at: https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/417213/south-africa-targeted-for-rare-plant-poaching-placing-biodiversity-at-risk

Hyman, A. 2020. 1 February 2020. Koreans fined R5m as poachers target SA's succulent treasure chest. Times Live. Available at: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-02-01-koreans-fined-r5m-as-poachers-target-sas-succulent-treasure-chest/

Majikela, M. 2020. 31 January 2020. Hefty sentencing for possession of Conophytum plants. Media Statement. South African Police Service Office of the Provincial Commissioner Western Cape. Available at: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroommsspeechdetail.php?nid=24491

Myburgh, A. 2021. 20 January 2021. Man behind bars for possession of endangered plants (Conophytum). Media Statement South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner North West. Available at: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=24491

Trenchard, T. 2021. 31 July 2021. In South Africa, Poachers Now Traffic in Tiny Succulent Plants. The New York Times. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/31/world/africa/south-africa-poachers-tiny-succulent-plants.html

Tshuma, N. 2021. 20 May 2021. Collectors drive a spike in theft of indigenous plants in the Western Cape. IOL. Available at: https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/collectors-drive-a-spike-in-theft-of-indigenous-plants-in-the-western-cape-e120f529-741b-43a7-8454-cb8f69544878

Young, A.J. 2020. Conophytum armianum S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Young A. 2022. (assessment in prep 2022) Conophytum bilobum subsp. claviferens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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 is known from one location with an estimated population size of 500-1000 mature individuals whereby it has lost more than 50% of its population to illegal collection (Young, 2022).

Young A. 2022. (assessment in prep 2022) Conophytum bilobum subsp. claviferens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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

Individuals are removed from the wild causing population decline (Young, 2022).

Young A. 2022. (assessment in prep 2022) Conophytum bilobum subsp. claviferens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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

This species is known from one location with ongoing threats including exploitation (Young, 2022), placing the persistence of this species at risk. Regeneration potential for the vast majority of the Conophytum genus is very poor as recruitment is low and dependent on successive, appropriate weather conditions. Seeds are not known to disperse. Regeneration will take decades. (Young, personal communication 2021, 5 October)

Young A. 2022. (assessment in prep 2022) Conophytum bilobum subsp. claviferens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Reference file

SAPS Myburgh 2021.pdf1013.09 KB

Friedman 2021.pdf832.51 KB

Hyman 2020.pdf477.52 KB

SAPS Majikela 2020.pdf161.76 KB

Trenchard 2021.pdf88.31 KB

Tshuma 2021.pdf241.54 KB

9 arrested in Cape Town for allegedly poaching protected plants in interprovincial operation _ News24.pdf1.3 MB

Cape biodiversity risk_ 9 arrested for illegal trade in rare succulents.pdf1.01 MB

Young 2020 Conophytum bilobum subsp. claviferens Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf832.7 KB

Conophytum Aucfan.pdf692.56 KB