Eucomis autumnalis | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Hyacinthaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is experiencing large population declines due to harvesting of bulbs of wild individuals for medicinal purposes. This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Ongoing high levels of harvesting pressure could decrease this species chances of recruitment and recovery. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is threatened by widespread, unregulated, unsustainable exploitation of wild populations. 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 of Least Concern as it is widespread but has experienced large population declines due to harvesting of bulbs of wild individuals for medicinal purposes (Williams et al. 2016). However it is recommended that this status be re-assessed due to the large quantities harvested and the smaller bulb size sold at medicinal markets (Williams et al. 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. This species was recorded in confiscations of illegal plant collecting multiple times (Confiscation lists (2010-2022) provided by SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Cape Nature). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that this species may be at risk to over-exploitation and removal from the wild.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2016. Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Williams, V.L., Balkwill, K. and Witkowski, E.T.F. 2007. Size-class prevalence of bulbous and perennial herbs sold in the Johannesburg medicinal plant markets between 1995 and 2001. South African Journal of Botany 73(1):144-155.

Williams, V.L., Witkowski, T.F. and Balkwill, K. 2007. Volume and financial value of species traded in the medicinal plant markets of Gauteng, South Africa. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 14(6):584-603.

Population vulnerability

Population is not vulnerable: size is > 2500 mature individuals, AND the number of known subpopulations is > 5 AND range > 100km²

Justification and references

Population data on this species is unavailable but it is widespread and is thought to be decreasing (Williams et al. 2016).

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 harvesting resulting in the mortality of individuals (Williams et al. 2016).

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

Ongoing harvesting pressure could decrease this species chances of recruitment and recovery.

Reference file

eucomis _ eBay.pdf607.49 KB

Eucomis autumnalis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf775.07 KB