Haworthiopsis limifolia | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is known to be wild collected for the horticultural trade and for medicinal purposes whereby whole localities are being removed. It is widespread and variable. 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 taxon 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 threatened with harvesting of wild individuals for both the medicinal plant trade and succulent collectors (Williams et al. 2014). 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 species is commonly present at several traditional medicine markets and is thought to be vulnerable to over-exploitation (Cunningham, 1988). It is collected in large numbers with whole localities being removed (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. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2019-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and SANBI Karoo Desert Botanic Garden).

Cunningham, A.B. 1988. An investigation of the herbal medicine trade in Natal/KwaZulu. Investigational Report No. 29. Institute of Natural Resources, Pietermaritzburg.

Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. & Ngwenya, A.M. 2014. Haworthiopsis limifolia (Marloth) 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

Large numbers of individuals of this species have been removed from the wild which has reduced the population by an estimated 30% in 60 years in South Africa (Williams et al. 2014).

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

Ongoing threat including harvesting of wild individuals causing decline (Williams et al. 2014), places the persistence of this taxon at risk whereby recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Reference file

haworthiopsis _ eBay.pdf447.72 KB

Haworthiopsis limifolia Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf782.67 KB

Haworthiopsis search results.pdf1.42 MB

Haworthiopsis.pdf1.91 MB