Moraea villosa subsp. villosa | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Iridaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

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. As this taxon does not have a vulnerable population size, were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be possible.

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 few remaining fragmented subpopulations that are experiencing population decline due to habitat loss and degradation (Raimondo & Goldblatt, 2007). This genus is 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 (2020-2022) provided by SANBI Karoo Desert Botanical Garden and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that vulnerable species of this genus may be at risk to over-exploitation.

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.

Raimondo, D. & Goldblatt, P. 2007. Moraea villosa (Ker Gawl.) Ker Gawl. subsp. villosa. 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 11 650 km² but has list 80% of its habitat and is thought to be extant at 16/62 locations whereby subpopulations are fragmented and small (Raimondo & Goldblatt, 2007).

Raimondo, D. & Goldblatt, P. 2007. Moraea villosa (Ker Gawl.) Ker Gawl. subsp. villosa. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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

As this taxon does not have a vulnerable population size, were exploitation to occur, recruitment and recovery may be possible.

Reference file

Moraea villosa villosa Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf766.15 KB

moraea.pdf669.68 KB