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Portulacaria armiana

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Didiereaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
Other species of this genus are known to be collected for horticultural trade. This genus is currently in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade. Few known locations with potential threats makes this species vulnerable to further to population loss. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is either similar to another sensitive species 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 rare, localized and known from two to three locations where it is potentially threatened by habitat loss (von Staden & Van Wyk, 2015). 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 species of this genus are known to be threatened by collection of wild individuals for horticultural trade (von Staden & van Wyk, 2015). Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2021-2022) provided by SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment). This may threaten vulnerable species of this genus with collection and removal from the wild.

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Portulacaria armiana Van Jaarsv. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Portulacaria pygmaea Pillans. 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 two to three locations (von Staden & Van Wyk, 2015).

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Portulacaria armiana Van Jaarsv. 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

Few known locations and potential threat (von Staden & Van Wyk, 2015), places the persistence of this species at risk. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

von Staden, L. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2015. Portulacaria armiana Van Jaarsv. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Reference file
Portulacaria armiana Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf539.4 KB
portulacaria _ eBay.pdf929.66 KB
Portulacaria Rakuten.pdf424.4 KB