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Disa marlothii

Assessor: Juan Swanepoel

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Orchidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
Other species in this genus are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals. A small population size makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Were exploitation to 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 Rare (Liltved et al. 2006). This species is increasing in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade as indicated by an online shop listing. Other species in this genus are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals (von Staden et al. 2012, von Staden & Liltved, 2012).

von Staden, L. & Liltved, W.R. 2012. Disa lugens Bolus var. nigrescens (H.P.Linder) H.P.Linder. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

von Staden, L., Oliver, E.G.H. & Raimondo, D. 2012. Disa longicornu L.f. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Liltved, W.R., Bytebier, B. and Victor, J.E. 2006. Disa marlothii Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/30

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

Known from six sub-populations with <20 plants each, and specific to stream sides, this species currnetly has no recorded threats (Liltved et al. 2006).

Liltved, W.R., Bytebier, B. and Victor, J.E. 2006. Disa marlothii Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/30

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

Despite having no known threats, should exploitation occur on these small populations, recovery may be poor (Liltved et al. 2006).

Liltved, W.R., Bytebier, B. and Victor, J.E. 2006. Disa marlothii Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/12/30