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Eriospermum bracteatum

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Ruscaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is potentially threatened with harvesting for medicinal use. Several species of the Eriospermum genus have been targeted by illegal harvesters. This species is in demand and of interest in the international horticultural trade. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. Few known locations of occurrence with potential threat makes this species vulnerable to 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 it is range restricted and potentially threatened  with harvesting for medicinal use, invasive alien plants and habitat loss (Helme & Raimondo, 2007). This genus is in demand and of interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2016-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanic Garden, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that vulnerable species may be at risk.

Helme, N.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Eriospermum bracteatum Archibald. 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 two locations (Helme & Raimondo, 2007).

Helme, N.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Eriospermum bracteatum Archibald. 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.
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 with existing potential threats including harvesting of wild individuals (Helme & Raimondo, 2007), places the persistence of this species at risk whereby recruitment and recovery may be poor. Generally Eriospermums are long-lived, slow-growing tuberous genus that have a high regeneration rate for most species. Can form large local populations quite quickly but majority of species are rare in the landscape making them vulnerable to illegal collection. Species are usually locally abundant but multiplication can be slow and small. (van Jaarsveld. E, Helme. N & Peckover. R, personal communication 2021, 14 October)

Helme, N.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Eriospermum bracteatum Archibald. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Eriospermum Auction.pdf508.21 KB
Eriospermum interest.pdf440.07 KB
Helme & Raimondo 2007 Eriospermum bracteatum Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf832.74 KB