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Euphorbia groenewaldii

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
Yes
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is threatened by harvesting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Euphorbia genus from illegal collection. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. A small remaining population size with existing threats 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 Critically Endangered as majority of its population has been reduced by habitat loss, degradation and harvesting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes (von Staden, 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. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of Euphorbia species from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, Karoo Desert Botanical Garden, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk.

von Staden, L. 2008. Euphorbia groenewaldii R.A.Dyer. 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's population has declined by 96% by 2007 (von Staden, 2008).

von Staden, L. 2008. Euphorbia groenewaldii R.A.Dyer. 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

Whole individuals are removed whereby collecting accounts for a large proportion of its decline (von Staden, 2008).

von Staden, L. 2008. Euphorbia groenewaldii R.A.Dyer. 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

Remaining subpopulations are thought to be small and not viable (von Staden, 2008). A small remaining population size with existing threats makes this species vulnerable to further population loss. Recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be poor. 

von Staden, L. 2008. Euphorbia groenewaldii R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Euphorbia groenewaldii Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf548.55 KB
euphorbia _ eBay.pdf1.06 MB
Euphorbia Aucfan.pdf1.75 MB