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Haemanthus namaquensis

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is thought to be possibly threatened with collection of wild individuals for horticultural purposes. Several others of the Haemanthus genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known localised subpopulations with existing potential threat 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
Small or insignificant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, but utilisation is localised and/or affects only a small proportion of the wild population.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Rare as it is known from few wide ranging, small subpopulations and is possibly threatened with collection of wild individuals for horticultural purposes (Snijman & Raimondo, 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. Other species in this genus are known to be threatened by harvesting of wild individuals for horticultural purposes (Snijman & Victor, 2004; Snijman et al. 2007). 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 Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, Karoo Desert Botanic Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus is being targeted and that this species may be at risk.

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Haemanthus nortieri Isaac. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Snijman, D.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Haemanthus namaquensis R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Snijman, D.A., Raimondo, D. & Victor, J.E. 2007. Haemanthus canaliculatus Levyns. 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 has an extent of occurrence of 4000 km², is known from eight subpopulations that are localized with few scattered individuals (Snijman & Raimondo, 2007).

Snijman, D.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Haemanthus namaquensis 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.
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 and scattered individuals in small subpopulations (Snijman & Raimondo, 2007) lowers chances of recruitment or recovery from harvesting.

Snijman, D.A. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Haemanthus namaquensis R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Haemanthus namaquensis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf539.43 KB
haemanthus _ eBay.pdf577.13 KB
Haemanthus Aucfan.pdf909.29 KB