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Haworthiopsis attenuata

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species and its varieties are known to be wild collected for the horticultural trade and for medicinal purposes. This taxon is widespread and variable with some distinct forms being sensitive and/or targeted. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Haworthiopsis genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. Few known subpopulations makes this species vulnerable to population loss. 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 experiencing ongoing population decline due to unsustainable harvesting for traditional medicinal and horticultural trade as well as from habitat loss (Williams et al. 2014; Dold & Cocks, 2002). This taxon is widespread and variable with a number of regional forms that have not received widespread taxonomic recognition. Some of the more distinct forms may be sensitive/targeted (S. Molteno, personal communication, 12 August 2022). This taxon and its varieties are known to be wild collected for the horticultural trade and for medicinal purposes (S. Molteno, personal communication, 12 August 2022). This genus is in demand and of popular interest in horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. This species and others of the genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2019-2022) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and SANBI Karoo Desert Botanic Garden). 

Dold, A.P. and Cocks, M.L. 2002. The trade in medicinal plants in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. South African Journal of Science 98:589-597.

Williams, V.L., Manyama, P.A., Helme, N.A., Kamundi, D.A., Dold, A.P. & von Staden, L. 2014. Haworthiopsis attenuata (Haw.) G.D.Rowley. 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 experienced a 30% decline in the past and is expected to decline by a further 20% in the next 10 years (Williams et al. 2014). This species is known from 8 subpopulations (S. Molteno, personal communication, 12 August 2022).

Williams, V.L., Manyama, P.A., Helme, N.A., Kamundi, D.A., Dold, A.P. & von Staden, L. 2014. Haworthiopsis attenuata (Haw.) G.D.Rowley. 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 recorded in confiscations.

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

This species is slow growing and long lived whereby ongoing pressure from several threats including over-exploitation causing decline (Williams et al. 2014), threatens its persistence. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Williams, V.L., Manyama, P.A., Helme, N.A., Kamundi, D.A., Dold, A.P. & von Staden, L. 2014. Haworthiopsis attenuata (Haw.) G.D.Rowley. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
haworthiopsis _ eBay.pdf447.72 KB
Haworthiopsis attenuata Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf564.46 KB
Haworthiopsis search results.pdf1.42 MB
Haworthiopsis.pdf1.91 MB