Cryptocarya myrtifolia | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Lauraceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is experiencing population decline due to bark harvesting for medicinal purposes. A declining population size with existing threat 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 Vulnerable as it is experiencing population decline due to bark harvesting for medicinal purposes and habitat loss (Williams et al. 2008). Research has recorded bark present at medicinal markets (Cunningham, 1988; Williams, 2007).

Cunningham, A.B. 1988. An investigation of the herbal medicine trade in Natal/KwaZulu. Investigational Report No. 29. Institute of Natural Resources, Pietermaritzburg.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Dold, A.P., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Cryptocarya myrtifolia Stapf. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Williams, V.L. 2007. The design of a risk assessment model to determine the impact of the herbal medicine trade on the Witwatersrand on resources of indigenous plant species. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

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's population has declined by more than 30% in the last 3 generations (150 years) (Willians et al. 2008).

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

Bark is harvested which significantly impacts mature individuals (Grace et al. 2003).

Grace, O.M., Prendergast, H.D.V., Jager, A.K. and Van Staden, J. 2003. Bark medicines used in traditional healthcare in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: an inventory. South African Journal of Botany 69(3):301-363.

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

According to Grace et al. (2003), individuals that are debarked do not recover easily, and regeneration from bark wounds and basal regions are poor. A declining population size with existing threat makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor.

Reference file

Cryptocarya myrtifolia Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf624.79 KB