Tylecodon fragilis | SANBI Sensitive Species

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010

Family

Crassulaceae

Reason for the sensitivity status

This taxon is sensitive as it has a small population size and is not known to be threatened by illegal collection of wild individuals but there is evidence that this genus is being targeted and exploited for horticultural trade with individuals from several species being illegally removed. Were exploitation to take place, recruitment and recovery may be poor due to its few locations of occurrence and other threat causing population decline. Releasing data on this species can 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 Endangered as it is known from three locations and is experiencing population decline due to habitat loss (Desmet 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. Plants of this genus are known to be utilized and were among those targeted and/or confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting (Confiscation Lists (2020-2021) provided by Cape Nature, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, SANBI Karoo Desert Botanic Garden, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment). This suggests that this genus may be targeted and that endangered species may be at risk to over-exploitation and removal from the wild.

Desmet, P.G., van Jaarsveld, E.J. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Tylecodon fragilis (R.A.Dyer) Toelken. 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 150 km² and is known from three locations (Desmet et al. 2007).

Desmet, P.G., van Jaarsveld, E.J. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Tylecodon fragilis (R.A.Dyer) Toelken. 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 ongoing existing threat (Desmet et al. 2007), places the persistence of this species at risk. Were exploitation to also occur, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

Desmet, P.G., van Jaarsveld, E.J. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Tylecodon fragilis (R.A.Dyer) Toelken. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file

Tylecodon fragilis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf752.28 KB

tylecodon _ eBay.pdf898.51 KB

Tylecodon Aucfan.pdf1.17 MB