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Tylecodon tenuis

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
No
Family
Crassulaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This taxon is sensitive as it is threatened with illegal collection of wild individuals, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the Tylecodon genus is in high demand in international trade for ornamental and horticultural purposes with individuals from several species being illegally removed. As this species is rare and is known to be exploited, recruitment and recovery may be poor. Releasing data on this species can exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is threatened by widespread, unregulated, unsustainable exploitation of wild populations. 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 Rare as it is a habitat specialist that is not thought to be threatened (van Jaarsveld & Raimondo, 2008). 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. This species and several others of the Tylecodon genus are known to be utilized and were among those targeted and 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 rare species may be at risk to over-exploitation and removal from the wild.

van Jaarsveld, E.J. & Raimondo, D. 2008. Tylecodon tenuis (Toelken) Bruyns. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

Population vulnerability
Unknown
Justification and references

This taxon is a habitat specialist and specific population information is not known (van Jaarsveld & Raimondo, 2008).

van Jaarsveld, E.J. & Raimondo, D. 2008. Tylecodon tenuis (Toelken) Bruyns. 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

Specific population data on this species is not available and so regeneration potential cannot be deduced. However as this species is rare (van Jaarsveld & Raimondo, 2008) and is known to be exploited, recruitment and recovery may be poor.

van Jaarsveld, E.J. & Raimondo, D. 2008. Tylecodon tenuis (Toelken) Bruyns. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. 

 

Reference file
Tylecodon tenuis Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf529.64 KB
tylecodon _ eBay.pdf898.51 KB
Tylecodon Aucfan.pdf1.17 MB