Assessor: Sarah Schumann
According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Near Threatened as it is has experienced a 20-25% population decline in the last 60 years due to harvesting of wild individuals for the medicinal plant trade whereby decline is ongoing (Williams et al. 2008). Research shows that this species was commonly found and sold and medicinal trade markets in larger quantities than other species with >70% of vendors in 1994 and >50% in 2001 (Williams, 2003; Williams, 2007). 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). This species and several others of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated multiple times during 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 this species may be at risk.
Williams, V.L. 2003. Hawkers of health: an investigation of the Faraday Street traditional medicine market in Johannesburg. Report to Gauteng Directorate for Nature Conservation, DACEL.
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 Unpublished PhD Thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Brueton, V.J., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Drimia sanguinea (Schinz) Jessop. 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 data is unavailable however this species has declined by 20-25% in 60 years and declines are expected to continue (Williams et al. 2008).
Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Brueton, V.J., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Drimia sanguinea (Schinz) Jessop. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Bulbs are harvested as recorded in confiscations and found at medicinal markets (Williams, 2003; Williams, 2007).
Williams, V.L. 2003. Hawkers of health: an investigation of the Faraday Street traditional medicine market in Johannesburg. Report to Gauteng Directorate for Nature Conservation, DACEL.
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 decline and ongoing harvesting pressure places the persistence of this species at risk (Williams et al. 2008). Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor.
Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Brueton, V.J., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2008. Drimia sanguinea (Schinz) Jessop. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.