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Drimia barkerae

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Hyacinthaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
Other species of this genus are experiencing population decline due to harvesting of wild individuals for the medicinal plant trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated multiple times during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known locations of occurrence with existing threats 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 Endangered as it is known from less than five locations and is experiencing ongoing population decline due to habitat loss and degradation (Turner, 2011). This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Another species of this genus is known to be removed from the wild for medicinal purposes (Williams & Crouch, 2008). Several species of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation lists (2016-2021) provided by SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Cape Nature). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that endangered species may be at risk to over-exploitation and removal from the wild.

Turner, R.C. 2011. Drimia barkerae Oberm. ex J.C.Manning & Goldblatt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Williams, V.L. & Crouch, N.R. 2008. Drimia echinostachya (Baker) Eggli & N.R.Crouch. 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 extent of occurrence of 638 km² and is known from less than five locations (Turner, 2011).

Turner, R.C. 2011. Drimia barkerae Oberm. ex J.C.Manning & Goldblatt. 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

Few known locations of occurrence and several ongoing threats of agricultural expansion and livestock grazing places the persistence of this species at risk. If exploitation were to occur, recovery may be poor.

Reference file
Drimia barkerae Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf544.03 KB
drimia _ eBay.pdf439.87 KB
Drimia Aucfan.pdf1.14 MB