Ledebouria ovatifolia subsp. scabrida | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Hyacinthaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This taxon is thought to be potentially threatened by collection of wild individuals for medicinal purposes. The ovatifolia species and several others of the genus were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. Ledebouria ovatifolia is a typically popular species in the ethnomedicinal plant trade which may make this subspecies a target too. One known locality and several existing potential threats places the persistence of this subspecies at risk. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this taxon could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.

This species is either similar to or belongs to a group containing sensitive species, and is extremely rare in the wild. The localities of wild populations need to be protected to avoid loss to exploitation, which, due to its rarity, could drive the species to extinction within a very short time.

Exploitation extent

Uncertain - No data exists yet showing that this species is exploited in the wild, however it has one or more relatives or look-alike species (found in South Africa or globally) that are known to be utilised. This species has a similar life form or other relevant traits to its exploited relative(s), making it highly likely that it would be exploited for the same purposes.

Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Vulnerable as it is known from a single known location that is potentially threatened by habitat loss, degradation and collecting of wild individuals for medicinal purposes (Crouch et al. 2016). Ledebouria ovatifolia is a typically popular species in the ethnomedicinal plant trade which may make this subspecies a target too (Crouch et al. 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. The ovatifolia species and several others of the genus were among those targeted and confiscated during criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation lists (2019-2022) provided by SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that vulnerable subspecies may be at risk to over-exploitation.

Crouch, N.R., Edwards, T.J. and Beaumont, A. 2007. Ledebouria ovatifolia subsp. scabrida. Flowering Plants of Africa 60:14-19.

Crouch, N.R., Edwards, T.J. & von Staden, L. 2016. Ledebouria ovatifolia (Baker) Jessop subsp. scabrida N.R.Crouch & T.J.Edwards. 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 is known from a single location (Crouch et al. 2016).

Crouch, N.R., Edwards, T.J. and Beaumont, A. 2007. Ledebouria ovatifolia subsp. scabrida. Flowering Plants of Africa 60:14-19.

Targeted demographics

Unknown.

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

One known locality and several existing potential threats (Crouch et al. 2016), places the persistence of this subspecies at risk. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Crouch, N.R., Edwards, T.J. & von Staden, L. 2016. Ledebouria ovatifolia (Baker) Jessop subsp. scabrida N.R.Crouch & T.J.Edwards. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Ledebouria ovatifolia subsp. scabrida Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf536.34 KB

ledebouria _ eBay.pdf509.99 KB

Ledebouria aucfan.pdf484.93 KB