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Drimia echinostachya

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Hyacinthaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is experiencing population decline due to harvesting of wild individuals for traditional medicine 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 remaining and fragmented subpopulations with existing threats causing population decline 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 subpopulations are few, fragmented and is experiencing population decline due to habitat loss and harvesting of wild individuals for traditional medicine trade (Williams & Crouch, 2008). Harvesting of this species bulbs are thought to continue if subpopulations are located (Williams & Crouch, 2008). 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. 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 vulnerable species may be at risk to over-exploitation and removal from the wild.

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 consists of fragmented subpopulations at less than ten locations and population size is estimated at 10 000 mature individuals (Williams & Crouch, 2008). Population has declined by an estimated 30% in the last 30 years (Williams & Crouch, 2008).

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.

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

Bulbs are harvested, causing population loss (Williams & Crouch, 2008).

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.

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 remaining and fragmented subpopulations with existing threats causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. 

Reference file
drimia _ eBay.pdf439.87 KB
Drimia Aucfan.pdf1.14 MB
Drimia echinostachya Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf549.38 KB