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Cyclopia latifolia

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Fabaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
Other species in this genus are known to be utilized for honey bush tea and are threatened by collection of wild individuals. A small population size with potential threat causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability. 
This species is either similar to another sensitive species or belongs to a group containing sensitive species, and is extremely rare in the wild. The localities of wild populations need to be protected to avoid loss to exploitation, which, due to its rarity, could drive the species to extinction within a very short time.
Exploitation extent
Uncertain - No data exists yet showing that this species is exploited in the wild, however it has one or more relatives or look-alike species (found in South Africa or globally) that are known to be utilised. This species has a similar life form or other relevant traits to its exploited relative(s), making it highly likely that it would be exploited for the same purposes.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Critically Endangered as it only known from a few individuals and is potentially threatened by poor fire management (Schutte-Vlok et al. 2011). Other species in this genus are known to be utilized for honey bush tea and are threatened by collection of wild individuals (Mei, 2016; Vlok & Raimondo, 2011). Endangered species may be at risk. 

Mei, Nomama. 2016. PlantZAfrica. Cyclopia meyeriana Walp. Available at: http://pza.sanbi.org/cyclopia-meyeriana.

Schutte-Vlok, A.L., Helme, N.A. & Daniels, F. 2011. Cyclopia latifolia DC. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Vlok, J.H. & Raimondo, D. 2011. Cyclopia alopecuroides A.L.Schutte. 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 is known from 23 individuals in the wild (Schutte-Vlok et al. 2011).

Schutte-Vlok, A.L., Helme, N.A. & Daniels, F. 2011. Cyclopia latifolia DC. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Targeted demographics
Unknown.
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

The population growth rate is unknown. Population size is limited by suitable habitat and fire regime. Should exploitation occur, even if only cuttings or leaves are collected, compounded with few individuals in the wild and threat of poor fire management, the chance of populations recovering may be poor (Schutte-Vlok et al. 2011).  

Schutte-Vlok, A.L., Helme, N.A. & Daniels, F. 2011. Cyclopia latifolia DC. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Reference file
Cyclopia latifolia Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf536.68 KB