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Haworthia wittebergensis

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is known to be wild collected for the horticultural trade to an insignificant extent. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Haworthia genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. As exploitation is thought to be insignificant and it does not have a vulnerable population size, recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be possible.
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 Rare as it is range restricted, fairly common and marginally threatened with collection for the specialist succulent trade as well as habitat degradation (Vlok et al. 2014). The taxonomy of this genus is not yet fully resolved. Taxonomic boundaries are often unclear and the taxa themselves are often immensely variable. The assessment information is therefore subject to the taxon status and recognition (Molteno, S Personal communication, 30 August 2022). This variety is known to be sought after and wild collected to an insignificant extent (Molteno, S Personal communication, 30 August 2022). 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 a recent criminal prosecution of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of species of the Haworthia genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2021) provided by Cape Nature and SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden). 

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Haworthia wittebergensis W.F.Barker. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1

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

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 305 km² and is thought to be fairly common (Vlok et al. 2014). It is known from over 30 subpopulations (Molteno, S Personal communication, 30 August 2022).

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Haworthia wittebergensis W.F.Barker. 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 from the wild.

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

As exploitation is thought to be insignificant and it does not have a vulnerable population size, recruitment and recovery from harvesting may be possible. 

Reference file
Haworthia wittebergensis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf632.09 KB
haworthia _ eBay.pdf1.73 MB
Haworthia Auction.pdf848.24 KB
Haworthia Interest .pdf1.26 MB