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Scientific Name | Conophytum obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. obcordellum |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened A4d |
Assessment Date | 2021/12/01 |
Assessor(s) | A.J. Young, P.G. Desmet, I. Ebrahim, D. Guo, A. Harrower, L. Jabar, L. Knoetze, C. Rodgerson, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This succulent is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 23,367 km2 and area of occupancy (AOO) of 464 km2. The population is in decline due to illegal collection for the ornamental succulent plant trade, with collection likely to increase as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. The continued threat of illegal collection is therefore regarded as very high. The continued threat of illegal collection remains very high with individual subpopulations being highly susceptible to further rapid decline, although the large population size and relatively broad distribution may limit collection. Climate change is also highly likely to impact the population although there is uncertainty of the response given the expected resilience of this taxon. An overall decline of between 26-29% of the population is thus suspected over the next three generations (90 years), primarily due to illegal collection. It therefore almost qualifies for Vulnerable under criterion A4 and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This succulent is endemic the Western Cape of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Fynbos, Succulent Karoo |
Description | This succulent has a fairly broad distribution in the Fynbos biome but is also present in the Succulent Karoo biome. The dominant habitat is sandstone typically in association with moss and/or lichen. This taxon has a generation length of 30 years. It is expected to be sensitive to the impacts of climate change as it does not disperse and while adapted to arid conditions, is dependent on limited seasonal rainfall. Species in the genus are sensitive to long periods of drought. Drought related mortality has been observed for other closely related taxa within the genus. |
Threats |
| This succulent has been subject to illegal collection of mature individuals for the international trade in ornamental succulents with several thousand plants being removed since 2019. This taxon has been highly sought after by collectors and is highly likely to remain so in future. This species has a large population size and a relatively wide distribution. As a result a population decline of 25-29% is suspected over three generations (90 years).
There is no decline in habitat quality for this taxon as inferred by changes in vegetation cover determined from changes in Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) between 1984 and 2018 using Landsat data (Venter et al. 2020). Anthropogenic climate change is a long-term threat to this succulent. Climate models for the likely emission scenarios where emissions stay at present day levels (RCP 2.6) (Hausfather and Peters 2020) and worst case scenarios where emissions continue to increase during the 21st century (RCP 8.5) indicate that there will be a loss of suitable bioclimatic envelope of between 26% and 57% by 2080 for this taxon. However, as this taxon occurs across several vegetation units it is expected to have a level of resilience to climate change and the expected population loss is reduced by 20% to 6%. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population |
This taxon is widespread and often locally common or abundant. The population size is estimated to be well in excess of 500,000 mature individuals. The population is in decline due to illegal collection for the ornamental succulent plant trade. At least 6,000 plants have been removed from habitat between 2019 and the end of 2021 based on confiscation records, with many more having likely been removed but not intercepted by law enforcers.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. obcordellum var. ceresianum (L.Bolus) S.A.Hammer | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Conophytum obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. obcordellum var. obcordellum | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Hammer, S. 2002. Dumpling and his wife: New view of the genus Conophytum. EAE Creative Colour, Norwich.
Hammer, S.A. 1993. The genus Conophytum: A conograph. Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
Hausfather, Z. and Peters, G.P. 2020. Emissions - the 'business as usual' story is misleading. Nature 577(618-620).
Opel, M.R. 2004. The rediscovery of Crassula alcicornis. Haseltonia 10:38-40.
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Citation |
| Young, A.J., Desmet, P.G., Ebrahim, I., Guo, D., Harrower, A., Jabar, L., Knoetze, L., Rodgerson, C., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2021. Conophytum obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. obcordellum. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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