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Tulista kingiana

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Asphodelaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species and others of the genus are targeted and removed from the wild for horticultural purposes, causing population decline. Regeneration potential is low as subpopulations will not replenish once removed. Releasing data on this species can 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 has experienced a 50% population decline in the last 30 years due to ongoing habitat loss, degradation and the collection of wild individuals for specialist succulent trade (Vlok et al. 2014) (Molteno. S, personal communication 2022, 15 June). Several species of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated from illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2016-2021) provided by Karoo Desert Botanic Garden, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Cape Nature). This suggests that this genus and species is being targeted and that this species is at risk of over-exploitation.

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Tulista kingiana (Poelln.) 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

This taxon has an extent of occurrence of 785 km² whereby between four and seven highly fragmented subpopulations remain and a 30% population reduction is expected in the following 30 years (one generation) (Vlok et al. 2014).

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Tulista kingiana (Poelln.) G.D.Rowley. 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.
Justification and references

Whole individuals are removed from the wild causing population decline (Vlok et al. 2014).

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Tulista kingiana (Poelln.) G.D.Rowley. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

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 remaining with several ongoing threats including exploitation (Vlok et al. 2014), places the persistence of this species at risk. This taxon is also long lived and slow growing, lowering its chances of recovery and recruitment (Vlok et al. 2014). 

Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2014. Tulista kingiana (Poelln.) G.D.Rowley. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Low regeneration potential. The plants are slow-growing and long-lived, while the germination rate in habitat is low on average and seedlings have a high mortality rate. Moreover, this species does not form seed banks; the seeds being viable for a year or two at most. Subpopulations that are wiped out will not replenish. 

(Molteno. S, personal communication 2022, 15 June).

Reference file
Tulista kingiana Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf582.66 KB