Moraea tulbaghensis | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Iridaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This species is threatened by harvesting of wild individuals. This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Other Moraea species are known to be threatened by harvesting of wild individuals. Several species of this genus were among those confiscated from illegal plant collecting. Few known locations of occurrence with existing threats including harvesting, causing population decline makes this species vulnerable to 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

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 Endangered as it is known from seven fragmented subpopulations that are experiencing population decline due to habitat loss from urban expansion and crop cultivation as well as harvesting of wild individuals, pollution and alien plant invasion (Goldblatt et al. 2006). 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 Moraea species are known to be threatened by harvesting of wild individuals (Goldblatt et al. 2006; Goldblatt & Raimondo, 2006). Several species of this genus were among those confiscated from illegal plant collecting (Confiscation lists (2020-2021) provided by SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that endangered species of this genus may be at risk to over-exploitation.

Goldblatt, P., Manning, J.C. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Moraea tulbaghensis L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Goldblatt, P., Manning, J.C. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Moraea angulata Goldblatt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Goldblatt, P. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Moraea atropunctata Goldblatt. 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 1300 km² and is known from seven fragmented subpopulations that are declining (Goldblatt et al. 2006).

Goldblatt, P., Manning, J.C. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Moraea tulbaghensis L.Bolus. 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 fragmented subpopulations with several existing threats including harvesting (Goldblatt et al. 2006), places the persistence of this species at risk. Recruitment and recovery from exploitation may be poor.

Goldblatt, P., Manning, J.C. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Moraea tulbaghensis L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Moraea tulbaghensis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf731.29 KB

moraea.pdf669.68 KB